Latest California Healthline Stories
Lawsuit Slams the State’s Duals Project
A just-filed lawsuit in Superior Court asks that the dual eligibles demonstration project be paused long enough to fix several “failures,” including a form that offers no clear choice to opt out.
Inadequate State, Federal Payment Rates Forcing Hospital Closure, Officials Say
An East Bay hospital that serves a patient population that’s 90% Medi-Cal, Medicare or the uninsured is facing imminent shutdown. State and federal reimbursement rates make serving that population unsustainable, hospital officials say.
Amid Shortage Concerns, Could the ACA Bolster Primary Care Ranks?
The Affordable Care Act might be making primary care more attractive to medical residents, which would address an anticipated provider shortage. But some observers say any increase in students’ primary care interest is an illusion.
Main Push in Duals Project Starts, L.A. County Launches Passive Enrollment
The biggest element of the state’s Cal MediConnect project has begun — the push to enroll 200,000 dual eligibles into managed care plans in Los Angeles County. It’s almost half the project’s target population.
Help! Help! Out-Of-Network Emergency Woes
Last year, I developed an antibiotic-resistant infection on my arm when I was traveling on the East Coast. With each day, it grew scarier and more painful, and it was spreading. Like a good girl, I called my health insurance company here in California and they pointed me to specific urgent care clinics, assuring me […]
Unclear How Supreme Court’s Home Health Care Worker Ruling Will Affect California
The ruling by the nation’s highest court goes against home health care workers’ unions in Illinois — but advocates still are uncertain what it means for California.
Two Health Care Measures Make Ballot Deadline for November, Two Others Held
The deadline has passed for initiatives to qualify for the November ballot. Two health care measures are in, and two others will have to wait.
Expanding Veterans’ Options Highlights Need for Data Exchange in San Diego
A bill in Congress requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay for care delivered outside the VA medical system is likely to increase private-sector referrals for San Diego veterans and highlight the need for electronic exchange of medical records to ensure continuity of care.
Analysis Spurs Changes in Covered California Outreach Strategy
When Covered California’s second enrollment period begins this fall, state officials hope to do a better job reaching out to Californians of color using lessons learned from a staff report on the first enrollment period.
Report Examines State Budget Cut Effects in Alameda County
When the state cuts funding for health care, counties feel it keenly, according to a report issued by Alameda County.