Latest California Healthline Stories
Effort Pushes for New Yardstick To Measure Poverty in California
Almost half of California’s seniors struggle to pay for medical costs, housing, food, transportation and other basic needs, according to a new report. It was released in conjunction with a push for a new way to measure poverty — and determine eligibility for publicly funded programs — in California.
Financial Times May Get Harder for California Providers
California’s hospitals, nursing homes and clinics are reeling from a powerful one-two punch of the nation’s economic recession and the state’s difficulties in passing a budget.
State Auditor Report Raps Medi-Cal Enrollment System
A report this month by the Bureau of State Audits criticizes the California Department of Health Care Services for failing to streamline the process for enrolling and tracking Medi-Cal providers.
Financial Meltdown Taking California Budget From Bad to Worse
California’s health care system, already reeling from Medi-Cal cutbacks, faces new risks if the receding economy pushes health insurance out of reach for more people, as many predict it will.
Economy a Hurdle for Children’s Hospital Bond Measure
Proposition 3 seeks $980 million in bond funds to expand children’s hospitals in California. Voters like the idea but worry about adding financial burden to already troubled state finances.
California Lobbies CMS Over Changes in Family Planning Program
Family planning advocates say federally ordered changes in California’s Family Planning, Access, Care and Treatment program will harm patients and cost the state and federal governments more money in the process.
Health Care Advocates Warn of ‘Dark Times’ for Latinos
Economic woes in California and across the nation make for a dim outlook for health care efforts for at least the next year, according to health care advocates in California. Recent research indicates that Latinos are at heightened risk of diabetes and face obstacles to care.
Dental Advocates Fear Dentist Exodus From Denti-Cal
California dentists are increasingly questioning their involvement in Denti-Cal, the state’s dental and oral care program for Medi-Cal recipients. Lower reimbursement rates are part of the problem, but dentists say the program’s uncertainty and mountains of paperwork also are factors.
Adult Day Health Care Centers Stretched Thin, Cuts or No Cuts
Even if Medi-Cal cuts are denied in court, statewide programs providing health care services for frail elderly and disabled people — especially programs in rural areas — might have a hard time making ends meet.
Governor’s Proposed Cuts May Hurt Entire System, Not Just Medi-Cal, Experts Fear
Officials for groups representing physicians and hospitals, and an advocate from the Western Center on Law and Poverty predict that Gov. Schwarzenegger’s proposed Medi-Cal cuts will have a negative impact on the state’s overall health care system.