Health Industry

Latest California Healthline Stories

Podcast: ‘What The Health?’ Meanwhile, In Other Health News…

In this episode of “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Joanne Kenen of Politico, Alice Ollstein of Talking Points Memo and Sarah Jane Tribble of Kaiser Health News discuss some of the under-covered health stories of the past several weeks, including drug price issues, the opioid epidemic and women’s reproductive health.

Taken For A Ride? Ambulances Stick Patients With Surprise Bills

Public outrage over surprise medical bills prompted California and 20 other states to pass consumer protection laws. But these laws largely ignore ambulance rides, which can leave patients stuck with hundreds or even thousands of dollars in bills.

Health Giant Sutter Destroys Evidence In Crucial Antitrust Case Over High Prices

“‘Fingers crossed’ that I haven’t authorized something the FTC will hunt me down for,” a staffer wrote after destroying the documents. Sutter, a huge Northern California Health system with 24 hospitals, said it destroyed them by mistake.

California Fines Anthem $5 Million For Failing to Address Consumer Grievances

The Department of Managed Health Care cited one example in which consumers and advocates had to call the insurer 22 times to contest a decision. Still, the complaint still was not resolved until the department became involved.