Latest California Healthline Stories
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.
Autism Advocates Pushing for State Laws Requiring Health Insurers To Cover Treatments
Kristin Jacobson of advocacy group Autism Speaks, Susan Pisano of America’s Health Insurance Plans and Antonio Hardan of Stanford University’s Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital discuss coverage of autism treatments.
Financial Meltdown Taking California Budget From Bad to Worse
California’s health care system, already reeling from Medi-Cal cutbacks, faces new risks if the receding economy pushes health insurance out of reach for more people, as many predict it will.
Economy a Hurdle for Children’s Hospital Bond Measure
Proposition 3 seeks $980 million in bond funds to expand children’s hospitals in California. Voters like the idea but worry about adding financial burden to already troubled state finances.
California Lobbies CMS Over Changes in Family Planning Program
Family planning advocates say federally ordered changes in California’s Family Planning, Access, Care and Treatment program will harm patients and cost the state and federal governments more money in the process.
California Falls Far Short of Federal Guidelines for Nurse-to-Student Ratios in Schools
Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.), Linda Davis-Alldritt of the state Department of Education, Nancy Spradling of the California School Nurses Association and Mary Jean Schumann of the American Nurses Association discussed the shortage.
Campaigns Launched To Move Californians From Fat to Fit
Even before a statewide survey confirmed this month that Californians are overweight, out of shape and getting that way earlier in life, health and government officials were responding with an array of programs and legislation to combat obesity.
Effort Urges Seniors With Chronic Conditions To Change Habits
Sparked by a grant from the Council on Aging, a three-year Healthier Living initiative hopes to help older Californians with chronic conditions take control of their health through behavior changes.
New Report Puts $38 Billion Price Tag on Alcohol Abuse in California, Urges New Taxes
Assembly member Jim Beall, Michele Simon of the Marin Institute, Edward Stringham of San Jose State University, and Fried Wittman of UC-Berkeley discussed the financial toll of alcohol with California Healthline.
Dental Advocates Fear Dentist Exodus From Denti-Cal
California dentists are increasingly questioning their involvement in Denti-Cal, the state’s dental and oral care program for Medi-Cal recipients. Lower reimbursement rates are part of the problem, but dentists say the program’s uncertainty and mountains of paperwork also are factors.