Latest California Healthline Stories
What Is California Going To Do About Retiree Health Costs?
Gov. Schwarzenegger has formed a commission to weigh the options, but it remains to be seen how California will cover the projected $48 billion cost of health benefits for retired state workers. Moreover, is this the issue that will lead to large-scale health care reform?
San Francisco Moves Ahead With Health Coverage Expansion
The Healthy San Francisco program won’t offer health insurance, per se, but the effort to make health care services available to all city residents is drawing attention, as businesses and advocates await the outcome of a suit challenging one aspect of the plan’s funding mechanism.
Try, Try Again: Health IT on the Agenda in Congress
A new batch of health information technology bills are on the way, but many measures slated to be introduced in the current session of Congress are revived and revised versions of legislation from 2005. What has changed since the last time they were introduced?
Telemedicine Network at the Forefront of Schwarzenegger’s Agenda for Health IT
California is pushing a plan to link more than 300 health care providers through a statewide network. Michael Liang in the governor’s office and Jana Katz Bell at UC-Davis spoke to California Healthline.
Groups in California Take Aim at Medicare Payments
How much should Medicare pay doctors and hospitals? That’s the question at the heart of two claims filed in California. One argues that Medicare is shortchanging care providers, while the other maintains that inflated reimbursements are hitting beneficiaries in the wallet.
What’s Behind All the Bad Press for Health Insurers?
Health insurers say they are getting a bad rap when the real target of the public’s outrage should be rising health care costs. Consumer advocates argue that the two are inextricably linked in the current health care system, and California regulators are stepping up oversight.
On Health Reform, Ask: Where Is the Opposition Coming From?
One of the greatest challenges for any of the proposals to rework California’s health care system is the possibility of a referendum, pushing backers of the efforts to carefully consider whether interest groups will outright oppose a plan, even if they won’t support it.
What Kind of Health Care Vehicle Is California Looking for?
Business interests agree that the health care system is in need of a fix, but they have yet to fall in line behind a single proposal. Looking back on the repeal of California’s last attempt at large-scale health reform, those pushing reform are quick to recognize the need to win businesses’ favor.
California Hospitals Wonder if Feds Will Kick in for Health Reform
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s health care reform plan would rely on $3.7 billion in federal funds, but officials for the California Hospital Association are not convinced that the federal government will come through with the money.
SPECIAL AUDIO REPORT: CMA Chief Says Health Care Reform Within Reach
Joe Dunn said “of course” CMA opposes a provision of the governor’s health care plan that calls for physician contributions but that he has “cautious optimism” about the prospects for reform in California’s this year.