Latest California Healthline Stories
Congress Returns To Work on Reform With Deadlines Looming
President Obama has said he wants to sign health care reform legislation by October. Looking at the calendar, that means Congress has a lot of work to do in the weeks before it adjourns for its August recess, especially on divisive issues like how to pay for reform and whether to include a public plan.
California Offers Examples of Public Plans in House Hearings
Officials for two different types of Medi-Cal managed care plans appeared before a House committee last week in support of including a public plan in health care reform legislation, while a representative of the Pacific Business Group on Health raised businesses’ concerns about such a plan.
Public Opinion, Research Show Support for Health Care Reform
A slew of public interest polls, research papers and petitions point to overwhelming agreement that the country’s health system needs an overhaul. The flurry of opinion and research arrives as Congress begins deliberation on competing reform bills.
Reducing Safety Net Bad Fiscal, Moral Choice, Advocates Say
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s plan to eliminate primary care programs for migrant workers and other low-income Californians along with plans to eliminate adult day health care programs for frail seniors may save money now but health advocates say the cuts will cost the state in the long run.
State’s Public Health Programs Excel at Cost Control, Study Shows
Health premiums for plans purchased by private California employers increased by 138% over the past decade, almost four times more than premium increases for Medi-Cal and Healthy Families coverage from the same insurance companies, according to new research.
Physicians’ Move to ‘Concierge Medicine’ Raises Concerns About Access to Health Care Services
Thomas LaGrelius of the Society for Innovative Medical Practice Design, Anthony Wright of Health Access and physicians Paul Sweigert and Mai-Phuong Nguyen discussed the trend with California Healthline.
Californians Rank Health Coverage Essentials in New Study
California patients prefer a no-frills approach to health insurance, and they’re willing to trade non-essential coverage for keeping costs down, according to a new report, “What Matters Most.”
California Lawmakers Take Aim at Gender-Based Pricing for Health Insurance Coverage
California Sen. Mark Leno, Lisa Codispoti of the National Women’s Law Center, Marti Fisher of the California Chamber of Commerce and Robert Zirkelbach of America’s Health Insurance Plans discuss the efforts.
New Bill, Research Push Changes to Health Insurance Market
A bill proposed by Assembly member Dave Jones would direct California regulators to classify health insurance plans into five categories in an effort to help consumers understand coverage and expenses. A recent study found wide variation in California health insurance policies.
Health Reform Survey Shows Public Ready To Make Tradeoffs
Almost seven in 10 people agree the country’s health care system does not work well for most Americans, but they don’t agree on the best way to fix the problems, according to a new national survey on health reform options.