Latest California Healthline Stories
Autism Advocates Praise Covered California’s Expected Policy Change
The California health benefit exchange board’s meeting today is expected to include a policy change that autism advocates say could help many children who need applied behavior analysis therapy.
Changes on Horizon for California Safety Net’s Care of Undocumented, Indigent
Community clinics and public hospitals in California remain the primary health care option for millions of undocumented immigrants who are ineligible for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Safety-net facilities’ strategies for remaining solvent are changing under health care reform.
A Dozen Hospitals Are Laying Off Staff and Blaming Obamacare. Don’t Believe Them.
Hospital leaders from coast to coast are blaming the health reform law for recent decisions to pare their payrolls. And while the Affordable Care Act is creating new pressure for providers — from tighter reimbursement to new penalties on poor performance — the full story is much more complex.
California Advocates Eagerly Awaiting Federal Report on Long-Term Care Issues
A national report is expected today from the Commission on Long-Term Care, and that report could affect the state’s approach to Cal MediConnect and the Coordinated Care Initiative.
Ruling’s Effect on Autism Coverage
An appeals court recently decided that the state cannot deny autism coverage to state employees based on licensure, and that ruling could hold an important precedent for autism advocates.
Researchers Helping Legislative Staff Craft Health Care Reform Message
Preparing for the Affordable Care Act includes a massive public education effort, but the public isn’t the only sector that needs training. Legislative staff members are getting pointers from researchers at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.
Pharmacist Practice Bill Going to Governor
State legislators passed a bill that expands practicing autonomy of California pharmacists in an effort to relieve pressure on primary care providers.
Physical Therapist Bill Headed to Governor
A bill that was both supported and opposed by physical therapist groups has cleared the Legislature floor and now heads to the governor.
Breakthrough Deal for Nursing Facilities
The state could effectively reverse a 10% cut in reimbursements for one type of Medi-Cal provider — urban, hospital-based skilled nursing facilities. The deal was done by amending language in a bill that’s about to hit the Legislature floor.
Inland Empire Preps for Medi-Cal Growth
County hospitals in Riverside and San Bernardino that helped design and build “bridges to reform” are now making plans to guide more than 50,000 Inland Empire residents in their transition from Low Income Health Plans to Medi-Cal on Jan. 1.