Latest California Healthline Stories
Legislature Backs Bill Pushing State To Accept $6 Million Medi-Cal Grant
This week, the Assembly passed a bill to require the state to accept a $6 million grant to help Medi-Cal enrollees renew their benefits. The author of the bill says the state’s rejection of the California Endowment grant stems from the Department of Finance wanting to limit Medi-Cal renewals to cut costs.
Bill Curbing Narrow Networks Opposed
A bill restricting California insurers’ use of narrow provider networks faces opposition as it moves toward a floor vote in the Assembly.
Price of Passage High for Optometrist Bill
A Senate bill to expand the scope of practice for optometrists was reduced to a shadow of its former proposal — but it did pass committee and will be up for a floor vote.
Hospital Sale Bill Fails on Assembly Floor
A bill to expand the state attorney general’s power to change the terms of some hospital sales could not muster enough support in the Assembly to advance.
Cascade of Bills Out of Appropriations; Many Due for Floor Votes This Week
Hundreds of bills, including dozens of proposals on health-related legislation, were released from the Assembly and Senate appropriations committees’ suspense files last week.
Unions Oppose Bid by Health Care Chain
Prime Healthcare’s possible purchase of six not-for-profit hospitals in California has drawn opposition from labor unions that warn for-profit Prime may cut worker benefits and shred safety-net services. Prime officials would neither confirm nor deny negotiations are under way.
Lawmaker Calls for ‘Substantive Change in Culture’ at State Health Department
One day after a frustrating and emotionally charged hearing, the head of the Assembly health committee took a step back and said it’s time for a “culture change” at the Department of Health Care Services.
Assembly Health Committee Chair Rips DHCS for Lack of Cooperation, Poor Care
Assembly Committee on Health Chair Richard Pan chastised the state Department of Health Care Services in a hearing yesterday, saying he has been “disappointed and frustrated” in his interactions with the department over the past two years.
Sonoma Center Appeals Decertification
Sonoma Developmental Center officials filed a formal appeal with the California Department of Public Health over the state agency’s decertification of the center’s intermediate care facilities.
Public Health Information Portal Opens
The state Department of Public Health launched a new online data portal last week so that other public agencies and private innovators can create and design new applications for public use.