Latest California Healthline Stories
$320 Million Covered California Budget Provides More For Outreach To Underserved
The 2017 spending plan restores money for community organizations that help Californians sign up for health coverage.
California Insurance Commissioner Urges Feds To Block $54 Billion Anthem-Cigna Deal
Commissioner Dave Jones says the deal would further reduce competition in the state’s health insurance market and harm consumers.
Report From Key Agency Raises Concerns About Proposal To Cut Drug Prices
Staff researchers at California’s largest public buyer of health benefits say the goal of reducing drug costs for the state is appealing but might not work in the real world.
CalPERS Approves More Modest Health Insurance Rate Hikes Than Last Year
Average premium increases for the agency’s 2017 HMO and PPO plans are indicative of health care cost trends.
As Hospital Chains Grow, So Do Their Prices For Care
The average patient stay costs $4,000 more at Sutter and Dignity hospitals than at other California medical centers, study shows.
Gov. Brown Signs Bill Seeking OK For Exchange To Sell To Immigrants Without Documents
The state can now submit a potentially precedent-setting request for federal approval to allow immigrants living in California illegally to buy insurance from Covered California.
California’s Aid-In-Dying Law Takes Effect
Terminally ill patients must meet many requirements in order to end their own lives. Some could have difficulty finding a doctor willing to prescribe the drugs, and others could have trouble paying for them.
State Legislators Push Bill To Inform Patients Of Drug Company Discount Programs
Opponents of the proposal say a requirement to inform consumers of such programs would only boost drug company sales and increase overall health care spending.
Youth Film Contest Seeks To Reduce Stigma Of Mental Illness
The program, funded by Prop. 63 “millionaire’s tax,” has led to the creation of more than 1,600 videos in 35 counties across California. Participants say it has heightened their sensitivity.
Hike In Minimum Wage Will Push Some Workers Out Of Medi-Cal
The need to buy health insurance could eat into pay gains.