Latest California Healthline Stories
Invasive Mosquito Risks Spread of Dengue and Yellow Fever Diseases in Calif.
Kim Keyser of the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District, Scott Morrow of the San Mateo County Public Health Department, Steve Mulligan of the Fresno County Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District and Russell Parman of the Santa Clara County Vector Control District spoke with California Healthline about the growing threat of several deadly tropical diseases in California, including dengue fever and yellow fever, because of the introduction of an invasive mosquito to the state.
Experts: ACA May Interrupt Short-Term HIV Care, but Long-Term Changes Worth It
The Affordable Care Act will bring changes for thousands of Californians with HIV/AIDS, including possible interruptions in care. But the long-term benefits of reform will outweigh short-term hiccups, according to experts.
Bill Aimed at Kaiser Hits Home Stretch
A bill seeking more transparency in premium pricing from large California health insurers — specifically Kaiser Permanente — heads into the legislative home stretch this week.
Exchange Ramps Up as Deadline Nears
Covered California’s task of offering low-cost health insurance for millions of Californians involves dozens of programmatic efforts, all of which are picking up steam as the exchange approaches an Oct. 1 launch date.
Big Jump in School-Based Health Centers
The number of school-based health centers has more than doubled in California over the past decade, powered in part by the Affordable Care Act. California Rep. Lois Capps introduced a bill in Congress that would extend federal support for five years.
Minimal Fallout Expected From State Auditor’s Mental Health Spending Report
A state auditor’s report criticizing the way California agencies and government officials have overseen spending of mental health funding may accelerate changes already underway, according to experts.
Supreme Court Decision on Insulin Injection Shapes the State’s Use of School Nurses
The dramatic decline in the number of school nurses in California over the past two decades contributed to last week’s California Supreme Court ruling that school personnel can give kids insulin shots. Advocates worry the decision might lead to fewer school nurses.
ACOs Expand Amid Uncertain Futures
Accountable care organizations, one of the key tools for keeping costs down under health reform, have had mixed success so far in California. Some providers are saving money, but whether they’ll be able to sustain savings while meeting quality standards remains to be seen, experts say.
Providers Brace for Medi-Cal Rate Cut, Hold Concerns About Access to Care
Dustin Corcoran of the California Medical Association, Jan Emerson Shea of the California Hospital Association, San Diego otolaryngologist Ted Mazer and Norman Williams of the California Department of Health Care Services spoke with California Healthline about the implications and implementation of the 10% Medi-Cal provider reimbursement rate cut.
Water Woes All Over California Policy Map
Water issues — from pollutants in drinking water to delayed funding of water projects and controversial relocation plans — are pervasive in California and probably will be for years to come, bringing with them direct and indirect public health repercussions.