Latest California Healthline Stories
Legislature Firms Up Budget Deal; Almost All Health Issues Go Wanting
The Legislature and governor said no to a raft of health care funding proposals — including Medi-Cal provider rates and autism as a Medi-Cal benefit — in a budget agreement being released today and put to a vote on Sunday.
New Consortium Promotes Efficiency in Working Toward Clinical Trials
The process leading to clinical trials for new drugs — often inefficient and prolonged — is receiving a makeover from a new consortium of California health centers and medical research institutions, the Partnership to Accelerate Clinical Trials — or PACT.
Appeals Court Reverses Lawsuit Ruling, Requires Mental Health Coverage
Insurers must provide a broad range of mental health coverage, according to a ruling from the state Court of Appeal that reversed a Superior Court decision.
The ACA May Aggravate the Doc Shortage. What’s the ACA Going To Do About It?
With millions of U.S. residents gaining coverage under the Affordable Care Act, the law is expected to exacerbate predicted primary care physician shortages. However, the law contains several provisions intended to bolster the ranks of PCPs. What are those provisions, and do experts think they’ll work?
Approval of Autism Benefit in Louisiana May Influence California Budget Talks
California lawmakers are considering making autism therapy a Medi-Cal benefit, an idea bolstered by CMS’ approval last month of a similar plan in Louisiana.
State Lawmakers Want To Overhaul Mental Health Programs
Ratan Bhavnani of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Linda Boyd and Kathleen Piché of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson and Sen. Darrell Steinberg spoke with California Healthline about the legislative and local efforts to change the state’s approach to handling mental illness.
Dental Group Warns of Provider Crisis for Special Needs Oral Care Patients
Low Medi-Cal reimbursement rates are blamed for a drop-off in the number of California hospitals caring for dental patients with special needs.
Doctors Academy Addresses Lack of Diversity Among Providers in Central Valley
A new program for high school students is designed to provide an educational pipeline to increase the number of homegrown health care workers in the Central Valley.
How Budget Cuts Hit the Health System
Several health care budget decisions will be made this week in Sacramento, including Medi-Cal provider rates, home health care worker overtime and mental health program funding. One legislator breaks down how those decisions might have long-term effects.
Home Care Providers, Recipients Make Push To Be Included in Budget Deals
Budget decisions are about to be made in Sacramento. Home health care workers and the people who rely on them gathered in the capitol to make sure their funding requests are heard.