Latest California Healthline Stories
New Law in California Raises the Bar for Interpretation Services in Medical Settings
Lisa Diamond of Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute; Alicia Fernandez of UC-San Francisco; Gloria Garcia-Orme of S.F. General; Anmol Mahal, a past president of CMA; Lynne Randolph of the state DMHC; and Ben Singer of Anthem BlueCross discussed the law with California Healthline.
California Public Hospitals See Major Influx of Patients as Recession, Job Losses Continue
William Jensen of Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, Melissa Stafford Jones of the California Association of Public Hospitals, Kim Roberts of Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System and Anthony Wright of Health Access discussed the trend with California Healthline.
Gender Rating in Health Insurance Under Review in California
Two bills banning gender rating in health insurance are before the Legislature, and two state government agencies face a lawsuit claiming that the state constitution prohibits the practice.
Advocates for Uninsured See Opportunity in Bleak Economy
The economic crisis sending the national economy into a tailspin and putting a stranglehold on California is seen by many health advocates as an opportunity to make significant progress toward providing health coverage for millions of uninsured and underinsured.
Spending on Kids Is Right Financial Thing To Do, Advocates Argue
An annual report card from children’s advocates urges state lawmakers to spend money on children’s health care and education not necessarily because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s the right financial thing to do.
Kuehl Hands Off California’s Single-Payer Torch to Leno
The legislative campaign for a single-payer health care system is moving into its second decade in California with newly elected state Sen. Mark Leno ready to deal with same governor who opposes the plan and a weakening economy.
Cash Infusion From First 5 California Keeps Enrollment Open for Healthy Families Program
Lesley Cummings of the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board, Wendy Lazarus of the Children’s Partnership and Kris Perry of First 5 California talked to California Healthline about creative financing to keep Healthy Families up and running.
Physician Organizations Have Mixed Reactions To Decision Upholding Ban on Balance Billing
Don Crane of the California Association of Physician Groups, Elena Lopez-Gusman of the American College of Emergency Physicians and Lynne Randolph from the state Department of Managed Health Care discussed the ruling.
Lack of Insurance Hazardous to Health, Hospital Report Shows
Uninsured Californians and Medi-Cal beneficiaries are more likely to die in California hospitals than patients with private insurance, according to a new state report. The California Hospital Association traces the disparity to limited access to primary care services.
Advocates Oppose Halt To Kids’ Insurance Enrollment
As Californians face the bleakest economy in decades, California’s State Children’s Health Insurance Program is considering putting a hold on enrollment because of a budget deficit. Advocates say help could come from Washington, D.C. early in the next administration.