Latest California Healthline Stories
Pilot Program at Oakland Hospital Cuts HIV/AIDS Readmissions Almost in Half
The medical home model has shown strong results in Alameda County’s pilot HIV/AIDS program, including a 44% decline in readmissions at Highland Hospital in Oakland.
Restoring Black Infant Health Program High on List of Advocates’ Concerns
The Black Infant Health Program is one of several programs health advocates hope will see restored funding in this month’s budget revision process.
Advocates Claim Civil Rights Violations of Chronically Ill From Benefit Design
High coinsurance costs in specialty tiers are keeping lifesaving medications out of reach of consumers with some chronic illnesses, according to patient advocacy groups.
Committee OKs Bill To Expand Kids’ Palliative Care Pilot Program to Adults
The state Senate Health Committee voted unanimously in favor of a proposal to expand a palliative care pilot program for children to adult Medi-Cal beneficiaries.
Signs Point to Adding Autism Coverage for Kids Under Medi-Cal Managed Care
Hearing testimony in the California Legislature shows a possible shift in the state’s attitude toward having autism services covered as a Medi-Cal managed care benefit.
UCLA Study: Even With Coverage, Undocumented Use Fewer Services
A new study showing undocumented Californians use fewer health care services than U.S. citizens could make a proposed California bill to cover those left out of the Affordable Care Act more palatable.
Plan To Switch Eligibility IT Systems OK’d
The Senate health committee approved a proposal to change the information technology system the state uses to enroll Medi-Cal beneficiaries, a change that could have far-reaching impacts.
Senate Bill To Alter Exchange Board Gets Altered, Passes Committee
A bill to increase cultural competency among Covered California board members moved out of committee one week after it appeared to be defeated.
Panel OKs Bill To Cover Undocumented
A plan to provide health coverage for undocumented Californians took a big step forward yesterday with approval from the Senate health committee. A major question — how to pay for it — remains unanswered.
Committee OKs Pricing Transparency Bill
The Assembly health committee yesterday approved a bill to establish an all-payer claims database in California, a move toward what one expert called the ‘missing piece’ of health care reform — pricing transparency.