Cost and Quality

Latest California Healthline Stories

Sutter Health Strikes Back At California Attorney General’s Antitrust Suit

The hospital chain says AG Xavier Becerra is trying to “dismantle” its system. CHL’s Chad Terhune discusses this high-stakes legal battle over health care consolidation on KQED radio, with health editor Carrie Feibel.

When Is Insurance Not Really Insurance? When You Need Pricey Dental Care.

Even under a decent plan, you’ll have to dig deep in your pocket for crowns, bridges and implants. The mouth isn’t covered by insurance the same way as the rest of the body, and this division has deep roots in history and tradition.

Choosing Between Death And Deportation

What happens when an undocumented immigrant has a life-threatening diagnosis? Much depends on where the person lives. And even in states with generous care for a dire illness, a patient can face difficult life-and-death choices.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Much Ado About Drug Prices

In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Joanne Kenen of Politico, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News and Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call discuss President Donald Trump’s proposals to control prescription drug prices and the efforts to sell the plan to lawmakers and the public. Also, Rovner interviews emeritus law professor Timothy Jost about the state of the Affordable Care Act.

Insurer Slashes Breast Pump Payments, Stoking Fears Fewer Moms Will Breastfeed

Anthem, one of the country’s largest insurers, has cut the reimbursement rate it pays for breast pumps by nearly half, fueling concerns that new moms — especially ones with lower incomes — will not be able to afford the pumps they need.

California Hospital Giant Sutter Health Faces Heavy Backlash On Prices

In a case with possible national repercussions, the state’s attorney general has sued over alleged price gouging, and other legal and legislative challenges are afoot. Sutter is pushing back hard, denying anticompetitive behavior.