Latest California Healthline Stories
Senate Moves Provider Directory Bill
A proposal to require insurers to publish more accurate provider information unanimously cleared the Senate floor yesterday in the California Legislature.
State Has Good Care If You Can Get It, According to Text-Message Study
Researchers used text messages to survey low-income Californians who reported an overall positive experience with the state’s health care system.
Another Case Before Supreme Court Could Influence Health Care Reform
In addition to the much-anticipated ruling in King v. Burwell, a Vermont case pending before the U.S. Supreme Court involving an insurance company’s efforts to avoid divulging information also has the potential to have a significant influence on health care reform.
State Pressured To Explain Why it Revoked Blue Shield’s Not-for-Profit Exemption
Consumer advocates want to know how state officials came to the decision last year to revoke Blue Shield of California’s status as a tax-exempt not-for-profit health care company. State officials said they can’t explain because of confidentiality laws.
Kaiser-Target Partnership Sign of Times
The growing influence of the patient as a consumer is pushing health care organizations to try new ways to provide care. A new partnership in San Diego between Kaiser Permanente and Target illustrates that retail clinics play a growing role in meeting consumer expectations.
Why States Using the Federal Exchange Are Unlikely To Run Their Own
Few states using the federal insurance exchange seem willing to establish their own marketplace. That’s even in light of a Supreme Court case that could nullify subsidies for consumers purchasing health insurance through HealthCare.gov, as well as cost such states billions of dollars in assistance and economic gains.
Patching County Safety Nets While Working for Statewide Coverage for Uninsured
Health Access and the California Endowment highlighted progress in five counties as part of their campaign to provide health coverage for an estimated three million Californians still without health insurance.
Blue Shield Lost Its Tax Exemption Last Year. Who’s Next?
After 75 years, Blue Shield of California is tax-exempt no more. With a slew of bills and audits underway across the nation, experts say to expect further scrutiny of not-for-profit insurers and hospitals — and possibly, a wave of other health care organizations losing tax-exempt status, too.
Bill Melds Health Reform Goal With Shift in California Workers’ Comp System
A bill in the California Legislature seeks to provide health care for farm workers by redirecting money from the state’s $15 billion workers compensation system.
HIV Medication Decision in Florida May Have Implications in California
A lawsuit in Florida triggered an insurer’s decision to lower the price of certain HIV medications for consumers by assigning the drugs to the generic drug tier. Advocates say the move may affect California’s pricing.