Latest California Healthline Stories
Wal-Mart Could Transform Health Care. But Does it Want to?
Companies like Walgreen and CVS has gotten considerable attention for inching into health care in recent months. But Wal-Mart remains the looming giant that could shake up delivery and access.
Obamacare’s Insurance Requirement: Where Do You Fit?
Q: I’ve heard that some people won’t be required to have health insurance under Obamacare. Is this true? A: You’re right. Millions of people won’t have to comply with a signature piece of the new health law. Officially known as the Affordable Care Act, the law contains a provision called “the individual mandate” that requires […]
Medi-Cal Outreach Gets Big Boost
If the state won’t pay for it, one private donor will. The California Endowment yesterday committed $26.5 million to fund the state’s Medi-Cal expansion outreach under the Affordable Care Act.
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services yesterday voted unanimously 3-0 to accept the contribution and directed state officials to apply for federal matching funds for a total of $53 million in outreach money.
“The success or failure of Obamacare will depend on how many will enroll,” said Daniel Zingale, senior vice president for the Endowment. “In this state, it’s enormously challenging. … We have more uninsured here than many other states have people.”
Snickers, Seriousness Expected for Junk Food Bill
This week, an Assembly committee will take up a plan to change the foods offered in vending machines in state buildings. No more empty calories for state workers, according to the proposed law.
AB 459 by Assembly member Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) is scheduled to be heard Wednesday in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations. A similar bill authored by Mitchell last year stalled in committee. This year’s bill earned initial approval two weeks ago in the Business and Professions Committee.
According to Harold Goldstein, executive director of the California Center for Public Health Advocacy, the debate over the bill boils down to a fundamental issue.
Statewide Soda Tax Gaining Momentum in Calif. Legislature
A new bill proposing a statewide tax on sugary beverages appears to be gaining momentum in the California Legislature. A similar bill stalled three years ago, but with public support growing and a supermajority of Democrats in both houses, supporters predict a different outcome this time.
Managed Care Tax Decision Left Until New Budget Proposal Arrives
Distrust ran high yesterday during part of a budget subcommittee hearing when the subject turned to reinstitution of a managed care organization tax.
The MCO tax instituted in 2009 had the singular distinction of being embraced by the ones being taxed because the money was matched by federal dollars and was used to support the Healthy Families program. In the long run, health insurers made their money back and the state had more federal dollars in its coffers.
The MCO tax expired in December. The Brown administration wants to keep it going with one big difference: Since the state eliminated Healthy Families, a transition that started in January and runs through the end of this year, the governor would like to put the MCO tax money into a rainy-day fund for the state.
Committee Votes To Repeal Medi-Cal Cut
Assembly member Luis Alejo (D-Watsonville) got a grand total of seven seconds to speak at Tuesday’s Assembly Committee on Health hearing before he was interrupted.
“AB 900 eliminates the 10% Medi-Cal reimbursement rate cuts for all Medi-Cal providers … ” Alejo started to say.
“Move the bill,” said committee member Roger Hernández (D-West Covina). And before Alejo could speak again: “Second!” said Assembly member V. Manuel Pérez (D-Coachella).
That set the tone at Tuesday’s hearing, which saw a unanimous, bipartisan approval of Alejo’s bill.
Reform May Improve Access to Pediatric Specialties
Pediatric subspecialists in Los Angeles County say health care reform presents a perfect opportunity to rethink and improve the way the health system cares for children with complex, chronic and rare health conditions.
Home Services Workers Balk at Regulation
The Assembly Committee on Human Services yesterday voted to approve a bill designed to register and regulate home health care workers.
“An unknown number of independents operate without any oversight or regulation in California,” said Gary Passmore, who sits on the board of directors at the California Congress of Seniors. “AB 1217 requires both the owners and aides of the organization to pass a background check and meet basic licensure standards. … And it requires all home care aides … to be certified.”
The bill also would publish the names of workers and their occupational data on a public website, a feature that raises privacy concerns for Jennifer Gabales, director of policy, advocacy and public affairs for CAHSAH, the California Association for Health Services at Home.
Birth Control Mandate: The Most Controversial Regulation Ever?
The White House called for comment on its proposed contraception mandate. Hundreds of thousands of responses poured in. Why do so many care so much?