Latest California Healthline Stories
Kaiser Transplant Program Could Spur More Oversight
The collapse of an organ-transplant program last month at the largest and one of the most highly regarded HMOs in the country is sending ripples of worry through the health care community.
Health Insurance Expansion Efforts Draw Attention
Efforts to reduce the number of uninsured residents are drawing new attention after Massachusetts approved a health insurance mandate last month. California legislators are among those debating what the plan could mean for health care reform efforts.
Health Coverage Mandates Raise New Issue in Debate
At least 30 states nationwide are considering legislation to require that large employers spend a percentage of their payroll on health care coverage for employees. Supporters say the efforts are intended to shore up Medicaid and other safety-net programs, but employers say such bills raise larger issues.
California Pay-for-Performance Programs Draws National Attention
As outcomes of a pay-for-performance program in California are reviewed this week, CMS and other groups consider the program as a model for similar efforts across the U.S.
Will PBMs Drive Up or Curb Medicare Drug Costs?
Pharmacy benefit managers play a central role in the Medicare drug benefit, leading some health care players to question what effect PBMs’ involvement will have on costs under the new benefit.
Health Care Players React to Special Election Outcome
California health care players’ reactions to the special election were mixed, but some players are preparing to move forward with legislative proposals and other health-related ballot measures.
Drug Plan Choices Await California Medicare Beneficiaries
With more Medicare beneficiaries than any other state, insurers are offering more than 100 options for Medicare drug coverage in California. Beneficiaries now must weigh the benefits and copayments of the plans to determine what their best option is.
Groups Look to Tobacco Tax Increase for Health Care Funding
Groups seeking to raise funds for children’s health insurance coverage, medical research, and tobacco cessation, as well as a group seeking funds for hospital emergency departments are considering ballot measures in 2006 to increase the state tobacco tax.
Healthy Kids Programs Gain Momentum in Counties Statewide
Four years after the first Healthy Kids program sprang up in Santa Clara County, homegrown health insurance programs have spread to almost half the counties in California, covering children who fall through the cracks in state and federal programs.
Health Care Players Look at Possible Effects of Future Health Insurance Mergers
After last year’s debate over the Anthem-WellPoint merger, health care players now are looking at what a proposed merger between PacifiCare and UnitedHealth Group could mean for the health insurance market.