Latest California Healthline Stories
Health Reform in 2015: A Year in Review
From the King v. Burwell decision to the ultimate “doc fix,” there were some major developments in health care reform this year.
Can Drug Companies Survive Their Martin Shkreli Moment?
The pharmaceutical industry has been under scrutiny for the past month, after one executive’s decision to hike the price of a drug by more than 5,000% overnight attracted the attention of presidential candidates.
Support for Federal Health Spending Is Down. Could the ACA Be the Reason Why?
The Affordable Care Act is the largest overhaul of the country’s health care system in history. Since the law’s enactment, support for federal spending on health care is down among Republicans, independents … and even Democrats.
Why Expanded Health Care Access for the Undocumented Is Unlikely, Despite Benefits
Research suggests that there are several potential benefits to expanding health care coverage to undocumented immigrants: avoiding a plateau in insurance gains, extending Medicare solvency and others. But expanded access is likely to stall in the face of cost and other concerns.
There’s bipartisan support for legislation that would eliminate the Affordable Care Act’s Independent Payment Advisory Board, meaning that one of the few ways to limit Medicare spending growth could soon be gone. What other tools could control Medicare spending?
Why California’s ACOs Could Become a Model for the Nation
Organizations experimenting with the much-hyped accountable care organization model are starting to report uneven results. Could California’s pilot programs turn into a national model — even as Medicare’s flagship ACO program shows signs of weakness?
Can Transparency Tools Further the ACA’s Goals of Reducing Costs?
While the Affordable Care Act aims to reduce health care costs and make coverage more affordable for U.S. residents, research suggests that consumer concerns about costs linger and have caused some to delay needed care. Price transparency tools could be key to the equation.
How To Avoid the Horse Race When Following the ACA Supreme Court Case
Wednesday’s oral arguments in King v. Burwell represent the culmination of a long legal battle over the Affordable Care Act’s subsidies. Here’s a look at several late-breaking developments and data that have shaped the case, as well as implications.
ACA Wish List: What Experts Say Congress Should Change About the Law This Year
Repealing the Affordable Care Act is unlikely to happen, but experts say several provisions of the law still need to be changed. What should be next on Congress’ list of priorities?
Cost Drivers and How To Steer Them
Expensive drugs got much of the blame last week during a legislative hearing hoping to pinpoint the major cost drivers in the state’s health care system.