Latest California Healthline Stories
Hospital Fee Is One Step Closer to Law
An Assembly committee unanimously approved a plan to levy a fee on California hospitals and use the money to draw down additional federal funding for hospitals and the state.
UC-Riverside Medical School Bill Approved
The Assembly yesterday approved a measure to urge the state’s new medical school in Riverside to use part of its recent $15 million allocation from the state to steer students to a physician-retention program.
State Outlines Plan To Transition Low-Income Health Program to Medi-Cal
A conference in Sacramento last week laid the groundwork for the state to move about 600,000 Californians from the Low Income Health Program to Medi-Cal next year.
Process Begins for Medi-Cal Provider Cuts
Plans were announced this week for a phased implementation of a 10% cut in Medi-Cal providers’ reimbursement. The first phase begins Sept. 5.
Amended Mid-Level Provider Bills OK’d
An Assembly committee approved two bills designed to expand the amount of work that can be done by pharmacists, physician assistants and nurse practitioners.
Questions, Concerns Greet Exchange Leaders at S.F. Town Hall Meeting
In one of the first in a series of outreach events, Covered California officials attracted a big crowd and fielded many questions last week in San Francisco.
Nurse Practitioner Bill Loses Supporter After ‘Drastic’ Last-Minute Amendments
A bill to allow nurse practitioners more independence is up for another vote this week before a California Assembly committee, but new amendments have prompted one supporter to oppose the measure.
Mid-Levels’ Bill Clears Assembly Floor Vote
A bill to allow mid-level practitioners to supervise medical assistants when physicians are not onsite cleared the Assembly floor last week.
Exchange Delays Pediatric Dental Mandate
Covered California directors decided yesterday to delay embedding pediatric dental benefits in the state’s new health insurance exchange until 2015.
Health Bills Continue Through Committee
While most state legislators still are on summer recess, committees are meeting and considering bills, including several dealing with health care issues.