Latest California Healthline Stories
‘Gun Violence Restraining Order’ Idea May Get Traction, Experts Predict
In the wake of the Isla Vista shooting spree, proposed legislation to give family and friends authority to request a “gun violence restraining order” in California may have a better chance at success than previous legislative efforts at curbing gun violence, according to mental health experts.
New, Private Inland Empire Medical School Could Open in 2016
A new, private medical school in Colton, San Bernardino County, could open as early as 2016. But first, the school must hit a number of targets, from building a new campus to receiving accreditation.
State’s Reluctant Takeover of Local Health Plan Contested in Superior Court
California health officials say they were forced to take over the financially troubled Alameda Alliance for Health out of concern for the local health plan’s members. But Alliance officials say their members will suffer from the takeover and are fighting the state in court.
High-Priced Drug Could Be Deal Changer
Sovaldi, a drug for treating hepatitis C, has the potential to be a canary in the coal mine of drug policy. Government officials, insurance companies and consumers in many countries are grappling with the problem of how to pay for the effective but costly medication.
Rate Regulation Battle Lines Drawn
Strategies are taking shape in the battle over a ballot initiative to give California officials regulatory authority over health insurance rate increases. Two days after proponents staged a rally denouncing huge cash reserves held by Kaiser Permanente, opponents released a study finding that such regulation could throw a wrench in reform efforts.
High-Profile Ballot Measure Hopes To Curb Health Insurance Rate Hikes
Businesswoman Marti Conger, Jamie Court of Consumer Watchdog, R. Adams Dudley of UC-San Francisco, physician Ted Mazer, Dylan Roby of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research and Robin Swanson of Californians Against Higher Health Care Costs spoke with California Healthline about an expensive and controversial November ballot measure that would give enforcement power to the state Insurance Commissioner to regulate health insurance rate hikes.
Nurse Practitioners: ‘Wait Till Next Year’
Armed with new data — including a report last month that suggests California could save $1.8 billion by expanding nurse practitioners’ scope of practice — nurse practitioners are hoping next year they’ll prevail in a campaign to expand their authority to provide primary care services in California.
New Hepatitis C Drug Is Center Stage in Legislative Debate Over Mandates
Sovaldi, a new medication approved for public use in December 2013, has insurers worried. At $1,000 per pill, the drug is expensive but effective in treating hepatitis C. The Legislature is considering a bill to limit insurers passing along drug costs to consumers.
New Report Shows Rate Review Process Saved Californians $349M Since 2011
A new analysis suggesting California’s health insurance rate review process saves money comes as legislators and voters consider new, stronger proposals to regulate health insurance premiums.
L.A. County’s Remaining Uninsured Bound for a Medical Home
With more than one million Los Angeles County residents still lacking health insurance, a new iteration of the Healthy Way L.A. program launches in September to provide coverage for those left out of health reform changes.