Latest Morning Briefing Stories
Governor Overrules DHCS, Signs Law Creating Children’s Advisory Panel
The Department of Health Care Services may not want it, but the governor has agreed to order the creation of the Medi-Cal Children’s Health Advisory Panel.
States that were initially hesitant to expand Medicaid eligibility now are exploring alternative coverage plans, but there are implications to increasing coverage without state-to-state parity.
New Lawsuit Filed To Block Duals Plan
After losing in Superior Court, health advocates for seniors have upped the ante, filing a lawsuit in federal district court to try to halt further implementation of the state’s duals demonstration project.
Medi-Cal Autism Coverage To Start Soon
Medi-Cal families with autistic children will be able to arrange for applied behavior analysis treatment later this month. Sept. 15 is the tentative start date for California’s new coverage policies.
Bill Linking CalFresh to Medi-Cal Eligibility Set To Head to Governor
A Senate committee and Assembly floor vote last week put red bows of approval on a legislative package to share eligibility determination between CalFresh and Medi-Cal beneficiaries.
Legislature Backs Bill Pushing State To Accept $6 Million Medi-Cal Grant
This week, the Assembly passed a bill to require the state to accept a $6 million grant to help Medi-Cal enrollees renew their benefits. The author of the bill says the state’s rejection of the California Endowment grant stems from the Department of Finance wanting to limit Medi-Cal renewals to cut costs.
Autism Community Welcomes Coverage
Questions remain about provider rates and other details of coverage, but overall the autism community in California couldn’t be happier with state officials’ plan to cover autism care for Medi-Cal beneficiaries, likely by the end of the year and retroactive to July 1.
Lawmaker Calls for ‘Substantive Change in Culture’ at State Health Department
One day after a frustrating and emotionally charged hearing, the head of the Assembly health committee took a step back and said it’s time for a “culture change” at the Department of Health Care Services.
Assembly Health Committee Chair Rips DHCS for Lack of Cooperation, Poor Care
Assembly Committee on Health Chair Richard Pan chastised the state Department of Health Care Services in a hearing yesterday, saying he has been “disappointed and frustrated” in his interactions with the department over the past two years.
Advocates, State Officials Wrangle Over California’s Medi-Cal Renewal Backlog
Consumer advocates are asking for federal intervention to help with California’s unprocessed Medi-Cal applications. The state hopes to have the backlog reduced to about 350,000 by the end of the month.