Latest California Healthline Stories
Advocates Lobby Against Eliminating Adult Denti-Cal Coverage
Adult dental coverage will be one of nine benefits that Medi-Cal will eliminate if the state does not receive at least $10 billion in federal stimulus money for budget relief over the next 16 months. Advocates say that cut would have long-term consequences for the oral health of Californians of all ages.
Effort Pushes for New Yardstick To Measure Poverty in California
Almost half of California’s seniors struggle to pay for medical costs, housing, food, transportation and other basic needs, according to a new report. It was released in conjunction with a push for a new way to measure poverty — and determine eligibility for publicly funded programs — in California.
California Public Hospitals See Major Influx of Patients as Recession, Job Losses Continue
William Jensen of Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, Melissa Stafford Jones of the California Association of Public Hospitals, Kim Roberts of Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System and Anthony Wright of Health Access discussed the trend with California Healthline.
Advocates for Uninsured See Opportunity in Bleak Economy
The economic crisis sending the national economy into a tailspin and putting a stranglehold on California is seen by many health advocates as an opportunity to make significant progress toward providing health coverage for millions of uninsured and underinsured.
Financial Times May Get Harder for California Providers
California’s hospitals, nursing homes and clinics are reeling from a powerful one-two punch of the nation’s economic recession and the state’s difficulties in passing a budget.
Spending on Kids Is Right Financial Thing To Do, Advocates Argue
An annual report card from children’s advocates urges state lawmakers to spend money on children’s health care and education not necessarily because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s the right financial thing to do.
Kuehl Hands Off California’s Single-Payer Torch to Leno
The legislative campaign for a single-payer health care system is moving into its second decade in California with newly elected state Sen. Mark Leno ready to deal with same governor who opposes the plan and a weakening economy.
Critics Argue for Overhaul, Expansion of California High-Risk Health Insurance Program
Elizabeth Landsberg of the Western Center on Law and Poverty, Anthony Wright of Health Access and Robert Zirkelbach of America’s Health Insurance Plans spoke to California Healthline about the state’s high-risk insurance program.
State To End Part B Premium Payments for Some Beneficiaries
Thousands of low-income seniors will soon be responsible for paying $96.40 monthly premiums for Medicare Part B that California previously had paid. Senior advocates worry that the change will push some beneficiaries to opt out of Part B, which covers outpatient care.
Report: Disease Prevention Efforts Save Money, Boost Health
Investing $10 per person per year in community-based disease prevention programs could save California $1.7 billion over five years, according to a new report. Beyond the cost savings, advocates trumpet the health improvements as reason enough for the spending.