Latest California Healthline Stories
State Fashions New Dental Director Role
The governor’s appointment of a state director of dental care could signal a fresh approach to oral health in California and may help solve problems in Denti-Cal, California’s Medicaid dental program.
Surprising Results From Pilot Program Aimed at Medi-Cal ‘Super-Utilizers’
More than half of Medi-Cal health care spending is on 5% of the beneficiaries — but that small cadre of “super-utilizers” might not be who you think they are, according to a pilot project in rural Humboldt County.
Protest Rises Over Medi-Cal Rates
A Sacramento protest planned today is aimed at increasing pressure on the governor and legislators to raise Medi-Cal provider reimbursement rates and rescind previous rate reductions.
Is the Obama Administration Coercing States To Expand Medicaid — Again?
Florida is alleging that the Obama administration is trying to force states to expand their Medicaid programs by threatening to withhold some of their Low Income Pool funding. Some health policy experts say the administration is being coercive, while others say the administration did not put up a strong enough fight.
State Responds to Concerns, Resets Timeline for Senior Program Transition
State health officials announced they would extend the timeline for transition of frail and elderly Californians from the Multipurpose Senior Services Program into managed care plans.
Is Expanded Medicaid Coverage Even Worth It?
Republicans in recent weeks have shifted their arguments against the Affordable Care Act, alleging that the Medicaid coverage is like not having coverage at all. Are the millions of people who have enrolled under the law’s Medicaid expansion getting inferior coverage?
Inside the Ambitious (And Affordable) Plan To Bring ‘Health Care For All’ to California
Some lawmakers and advocates are arguing that it’s time to expand health coverage to California’s undocumented immigrants. And they say that this year, the numbers are on their side.
California Proposes To Expand Incentive Pay for Some Medi-Cal Providers
An incentive payment program for hospitals and shared savings for managed care plans are included in California’s new Medi-Cal waiver proposal being negotiated with federal regulators.
Different Kind of Vaccine Bill Surfaces
Legislation to improve vaccination rates among young children gets its first hearing today.
If Calif. Ends Coordinated Care Initiative, What Happens to Frail Senior Duals?
If state officials halt the duals demonstration project in January 2016, the move could jeopardize the transition to managed care for thousands of frail, elderly Californians in the Multipurpose Senior Services Program.