Latest California Healthline Stories
Will Health Care Reform Come Down to Dueling Ballot Measures?
Recent history suggests that Californians might be faced with competing ballot initiatives aimed at reworking California’s health care system in November 2008, and a key backer of a single-payer health care system isn’t ruling out the possibility of seeking voter approval for such a system.
Retail Clinics Make Inroads in California, Despite Some Hesitation
California insurers are taking a cautious approach to retail clinics as they open more locations throughout the state, underlining some of the lingering questions over how retail clinics will affect the health care system.
Costs Push Americans To Look Abroad for Health Care Services
With health care costs on the rise, more U.S. residents are considering traveling overseas to undergo medical procedures, often at a fraction of the cost the operation would cost stateside. Health care advocates say the trend highlights shortcomings in the U.S. health care system.
California Grapples With Questions Over Kids’ Health Insurance
Given the stalemate between Congress and President Bush, California has taken steps to adopt waiting lists and begin dropping children from programs funded through the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. However, some advocates are questioning the legality of such moves.
Aging Californians Challenge State Health Care System
California policymakers are struggling to deal with the implications of a dramatic increase in the number of elderly Californians. Some of the major issues: a shortage of geriatric health care specialists, limited long-term care options and increasing numbers of Alzheimer’s patients.
Largest Physician Group in California Seen as National Leader on Price Transparency
The CFO of HealthCare Partners Medical Group and Donald Crane of the California Association of Physicians Groups spoke with California Healthline about HealthCare Partners’ decision to post prices for some services online.
Health Cost Comparison Web Sites Slowly Catching On
Health care cost comparison Web sites are cropping up nationwide, even though cost information does not seem to be the top priority of consumers who researching health information online. Health care experts say that it is only a matter of time before consumers embrace online price comparison tools.
Cost Takes Center Stage in Health Care Reform Efforts
CalPERS isn’t taking a position in California’s health care reform debate, but the giant pension fund is backing efforts to control health care cost increases. Other groups agree that costs are a problem but instead are pushing for a complete overhaul of the way Californians get health care.
Pay Attention to Prevention: A Message That People Don’t Hear
New statistics show that Medicare beneficiaries are not using the preventive care benefits that the program covers. Health care advocates assert that the situation could contribute to more serious illnesses developing later, pushing Medicare officials to plan wider outreach efforts.
CalPERS Investment in New Venture Capital Firm Focused on Health Care Improvements
CalPERS has invested $700 million to help launch a private equity fund headed by David Brailer, a former Bush administration official. Brailer and Clark McKinley of CalPERS spoke with California Healthline about the fund.