Latest California Healthline Stories
Exchange Premiums Closely Watched by Industry, Nation
“Everyone will be watching what goes on in California” this week, according to health insurance industry leaders. The state’s new health insurance exchange announced which insurers will offer coverage in Covered California and how much they’ll charge.
Health Care Issues High on Latino Community Agenda
Health care was a focal point when leaders of Latino community organizations met in Sacramento last week to launch the “California Latino Agenda,” a statewide campaign to unite leadership, establish goals and lobby for policy positions.
Increasing Medical Residencies Could Help Inland Empire
A new bill that would increase the number of medical residencies in California could help alleviate a doctor shortage in the Inland Empire, the most underserved region in the state, according to health care experts. The region has about half the number of primary care physicians it needs, according to a California HealthCare Foundation report.
$2-Per-Pack Tobacco Tax Clears First of Legislative Hurdles
A new bill proposing to raise the state tax on tobacco by $2 per pack of cigarettes cleared its first two committees in the California Legislature last week. The tax would push the price of cigarettes beyond $8 a pack and move California from 33rd in the country to fourth in tobacco taxation.
State’s Proposed Scope-of-Practice Changes Designed To Expand Access to Abortions
Assembly member Toni Atkins, Camille Giglio of the California Right To Life Committee, Sierra Harris of ACCESS Women’s Health Justice and Tracy Weitz of UC-San Francisco spoke with California Healthline about a bill that would allow some non-physician health professionals to perform a specific type of first-trimester, non-surgical abortion.
Budget Revision May Bring Medi-Cal Expansion to a Head
With no detailed plan in place three months after the governor and Legislature agreed to expand Medi-Cal, health care advocates are proposing a compromise deal for dividing $1.4 billion a year in expected savings. The governor’s revised budget — due next week — might bring the issue to a head.
Statewide Soda Tax Gaining Momentum in Calif. Legislature
A new bill proposing a statewide tax on sugary beverages appears to be gaining momentum in the California Legislature. A similar bill stalled three years ago, but with public support growing and a supermajority of Democrats in both houses, supporters predict a different outcome this time.
Reform May Improve Access to Pediatric Specialties
Pediatric subspecialists in Los Angeles County say health care reform presents a perfect opportunity to rethink and improve the way the health system cares for children with complex, chronic and rare health conditions.
Autism, Dental, Mental Health Focus of Transition Concerns
The volume is increasing in a chorus of concern about the transition of Healthy Families children to Medi-Cal managed care. Parents, advocates and state officials are worried about losing access to autism treatment, lower reimbursement for dental services and unusually low numbers of kids getting mental health care.
School-Based Health Center Proponents Lobbying for Funding
Supporters of school-based health centers are lobbying Congress to approve $50 million for such facilities. At the same time, California proponents, who expect the state to get about $8 million if the money is approved, are working on funding possibilities in Sacramento.