Latest California Healthline Stories
Medicaid Waiver Good News for L.A.’s Homeless
Strategies to provide health care to the homeless could shift as California prepares its Medicaid program and safety-net providers for reform-driven expansion in 2014. The state’s Bridge to Reform Medicaid waiver could help pave the way in Los Angeles County, which is “home” to almost one-third of the state’s homeless population.
Stimulus Money Still Flowing to Health IT Projects
More than two years after enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the federal government continues to implement provisions of the HITECH — Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health — Act. The second quarter of 2011 featured a change in leadership and progress toward meaningful use of EHRs.
Gay Latinos Fighting Bias, Stereotypes on Many Levels
Health risks for gay and transgender Latinos run high in part because of multiple social pressures and several different types of discrimination. A recent legislative hearing brought this often hidden community into the light, exploring what can be done to help them.
Foundations Provide Helping Hand as States Take Steps To Implement Health Reform Law
Richard Figueroa of the California Endowment, Heather Howard of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, David Maxwell-Jolly of the California Health and Human Services Agency and Marian Mulkey of the California HealthCare Foundation spoke with California Healthline about how foundations are contributing to state health reform activities.
Tale of Two Exchanges Shifting Gears in California
In keeping with its traditional role as the front-runner in health care trends, California surged ahead with plans for two health exchanges — one for insurance and one for information. In some ways, the state now is shifting from sprint mode to a long-distance strategy.
Experts: Merging Regulators a Good Idea, but When?
Although no legislation or formal proposal is in play, California stakeholders are debating the merits and likelihood of consolidating health insurance regulation under one bureaucratic roof. Health care reform may offer an opportunity to merge the departments of Insurance and Managed Health Care.
What’s on the Horizon for Adult Day Health Care?
It’s been eliminated, but part of it might not be eliminated. It’s a cost-saver, but it’s being cut to save costs. It’s a vital service to thousands of Californians, but apparently not vital enough. What happened to adult day health care centers? And what might keep them alive?
Basic Health Plan’s Future Unclear in California
Although approved by the state Senate, a plan for the state government to offer low-cost health insurance faces several hurdles on its way to becoming law. The basic health plan could offer coverage with premiums as low as $30 a month to low-income Californians.
California Running Out of Health Care Providers
Study after study on work force issues in California all come to the same conclusion: There are not enough doctors, nurses and allied health providers to meet projected need. On top of that, those providers are not distributed evenly across the state. But what can be done about it?
New Breed of HMO Cuts Costs, Improves Quality in San Diego
A new kind of HMO with tiered provider networks and built-in incentives for members to see doctors who deliver high-quality care is helping San Diego school districts deal with rising health care costs in a weak economy.