Latest California Healthline Stories
How Open Data Can Shape Public Policy
California public and private health care leaders are embracing the growing open data movement in hopes of improving outcomes and shaping public policy.
Five Years of California Health Reform: ‘A Tremendous Designed Experiment’
The Affordable Care Act was signed into law five years ago today. The anniversary takes on special significance in California, the first state to form an ACA insurance exchange, where reforms have transformed the delivery of care for one-third of the state.
Single Mobile Dental Clinic Serves Thousands in Central Valley
Demand for low-cost dental services is greater now than it was 20 years ago, according to Healthy Smiles Mobile Dental Foundation officials, who bring dental services to rural Central Valley communities that lack access.
Calm Before Tobacco Storm in Sacramento
Four bills in the California Legislature seeking new taxes and restrictions on tobacco are expected to generate fierce, expensive opposition, but so far the tobacco industry and other opponents are keeping a low profile.
New Bill Plays Hardball With Soft Drinks
Harold Goldstein of the California Center for Public Health Advocacy, Cheryl Moder of the San Diego County Childhood Obesity Initiative, Roger Salazar of CalBev and Laura Schmidt of UC-San Francisco spoke with California Healthline about the reintroduction of legislation to put a health-risk warning label on sodas, energy drinks and other sugar-sweetened beverages in California.
Bills Target Foster Program Drug Use
Young people in foster care in California receive too much psychotropic medication, according to lawmakers who are proposing a package of legislation to address the issue.
California Supreme Court To Decide Fate of Medical Board’s Access to Rx Database
Some experts say the California Supreme Court should impose further restrictions on access to the state’s prescription drug monitoring database to ensure patient privacy is prioritized. However, others say the public interest of curbing prescription misuse outweighs the argument for increased limitations.
Drug Transparency Bill May Be First in Nation
A bill in the California Legislature calling for drugmakers to explain their high prices for specialty drugs is thought to be the country’s first such legislative attempt at pricing transparency.
Plan To Integrate L.A. County Health Departments Moves Forward
A plan to consolidate Los Angeles County’s major health departments is gathering momentum despite opponents’ worry that three’s a crowd.
New Reports Shine Light on Long-Term Care Problems
Three new reports detailing problems in delivering long-term care are increasing the pressure on California lawmakers and health officials to consider policy changes, as baby boomers — the country’s largest demographic sector ever — grow older and promise to live longer.