Latest California Healthline Stories
Survey: Better Access to Autism Care, but Co-Pays Too High for Many Families
A survey to be released at a legislative hearing today shows access to autism services increased for California families as a result of a new state law, but some families were unable to afford co-payments and deductibles under new regulations established after the law took effect.
Medi-Cal Cuts Undermining Senior Programs, Facilities, Advocates Say
The 10% reduction in Medi-Cal reimbursements has undermined the viability of long-term care programs in California, according to advocates for seniors and the disabled who predict looming and continued closures could lead to a lack of access.
Advocates Say State Cooperating With Possible Revamp of Notices to Duals
As the May 1 launch of much of the state’s duals demonstration project gets closer, concerns about its implementation have increased, but advocates are encouraged by state officials’ willingness to listen and respond to worries.
New Autism Designation Promises To Be A Central Topic at Annual Conference
How a new designation for one type of autism could alter insurance coverage may be a central topic of discussion at an annual statewide behavior analysis conference starting today in Burlingame.
Homeless Motel-Clinic Program Honored
A pair of innovators who started a post-hospital recuperative program for homeless people in Southern California will be honored today in Sacramento for their work.
Los Angeles Joins Energy Drinks Debate
Los Angeles has formally waded into the debate over regulating energy drinks with a proposal from a city council member. The proposal asks the city to take a more active role in monitoring the beverages, which deliver a quick boost but may cause medical problems.
The Whys, Whats, and Hows of Convincing Specific Populations To Enroll in Exchanges
Enrollment advocates nationwide are pushing for people to sign up for coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges. Those who focus on specific populations — such as Latinos or young adults — face unique challenges and claim success in some non-traditional ways.
State Broaches Idea of Eliminating California Children’s Services Carve-Out
State officials announced this week the beginning of a stakeholder process to potentially end the carve-out funding for California Children’s Services, a 22-year-old program for children with severe and rare illnesses.
Q: What was my password again? $359 million dollars. That’s how much the state of California awarded Accenture to build and run CoveredCA.com, the insurance exchange website that has changed the way many of us buy health plans. When it announced the contract in 2012, Covered California boasted that Accenture would develop a “consumer-friendly web […]
Duals Project Schedule Unchanged
The state’s demonstration project to coordinate care for Californians eligible for Medi-Cal and Medicare will proceed as scheduled, despite a request from advocates last week calling for the project to be delayed.