Latest California Healthline Stories
Inauguration Pomp, Some Substance
The governor made a quick mention of health care in his inauguration speech, while the insurance commissioner focused on it — issuing an emergency regulation to make sure insurers provide adequate access to care.
State Legislature Reconvenes Today
Some familiar faces are in new places in the Capitol today as the Legislature officially meets for the first time in 2015. The first item of business will be the introduction of a budget proposal from the governor.
Let the Health Care Changes Begin
The start of the year marks the launch of a number of health care bills into law — as well as the beginning of two Medi-Cal provider rate cuts.
New State Law Allows Community Colleges To Offer Four-Year Degrees
In an effort to meet the demand for a more highly educated workforce, California community colleges for the first time will be allowed to offer four-year degrees — including some in health care fields — under a new law taking effect Jan. 1, 2015.
Bill Introduced To Create Statewide Health Care Cost, Quality Database
State Sen. Ed Hernandez has introduced a bill that would create an online database to compare costs and quality of health care products and services in California.
Health Net Sued Over Network Adequacy
A lawsuit filed this week in Los Angeles Superior Court claims that a small provider network resulted in permanent harm to a Health Net of California enrollee.
Strong Numbers for Open Enrollment
In less than a month of Covered California’s second open enrollment period, almost 300,000 people applied for health insurance coverage, including about 160,000 who applied for Medi-Cal.
Forum Examines Residually Uninsured
Even after expansion of Medi-Cal, there still are an estimated three million to four million Californians without health insurance. A panel of experts discussed some possible solutions yesterday.
Rural Health Situation a Microcosm of Changes, Challenges Across the State
Rural health leaders and stakeholders gathered in Sacramento last week to figure out approaches to handle big changes and ongoing hardships of practicing medicine in remote California.
Primary Care Medi-Cal Providers About To Be Hit by Double Rate-Cut Whammy
The federal rate increase for Medi-Cal primary care providers expires Jan. 1, 2015 — the same day a 10% state reduction in rates kicks in.