Capitol Desk

Latest California Healthline Stories

California One of Two States Cashing In on New ACA Long-Term Care Funding

California is one of two states currently participating in the Affordable Care Act’s Community First Choice Option, which provides higher federal matching Medicaid funds for community-based, long-term care services.

Campaign Launched To Enroll Children, Families in Covered California

The Children’s Partnership yesterday launched a campaign to work with schools — as well as child care and after-school programs — to inform families about new coverage options through Covered California.

Brown Vetoes Pricing Transparency Bill

A bill aimed at Kaiser Permanente that would have required insurers to provide more health care cost data was vetoed by Gov. Brown, who said he has his own plans for cost transparency.

Bill Regulating Biosimilar Drugs Vetoed

Until FDA works out standards for biosimilar drugs, regulating them now would be premature, said Gov. Brown in vetoing a bill aimed at overseeing less-costly alternatives to biologic drugs.

Governor Signs Midwives Bill

Licensed midwives no longer need to be under the supervision of a physician and are restricted to attending to normal births under a bill signed into law Thursday.

Governor Signs Physical Therapy Bill

A bill allowing California patients to seek treatment from a physical therapist without a physician’s referral was signed into law Monday.

Mental Health Program Shows Success

Californians with mental illnesses who participate in county-run Full Service Partnership programs are more likely to move into independent living situations, according to a study published last week.

Some Exchange Provider Rates Up in Air

Covered California and other exchanges across the country opened their initial enrollment seasons this week — but an important detail of provider pay is still pending in some of them.