Latest Morning Briefing Stories
Will This State Be the First To Expand Obamacare — and Then Take It Away?
About 100,000 residents of Arkansas have gotten coverage through the “private option,” a unique application of the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion. But the program only runs through June, and Republicans — concerned by costs and emboldened by state legislative victories — are threatening to kill it after just six months.
Los Angeles Provider Groups Upset Over Opt-Out Forms for Duals Project
Two groups of Los Angeles County health care providers submitted a letter to state health officials outlining new concerns about the opt-out provision of the state’s duals demonstration project.
Legislators Question Duals Program Implementation at Oversight Hearing
At a joint legislative hearing yesterday, state health officials fielded a wide range of questions and concerns about the dual-eligibles demonstration project due to launch on April 1.
State Alters Rollout of Duals Project
The launch of the state’s duals demonstration project still is slated for April 1, but with some county-specific delays and a few changes in Los Angeles County.
Dual Eligibles Transition Sparks Worries
California health officials want to move one million Californians who qualify for Medi-Cal and Medicare into managed care. Advocates worry the state will not properly prepare seniors for the transition.
CMS, State Officials Halt Participation of CalOptima in Dual-Eligible Plan
Federal officials found “widespread and systemic” violations in an audit of Southern California insurer CalOptima, causing state officials to exclude Orange County residents — at least temporarily — from the Cal MediConnect conversion of dual-eligibles to Medi-Cal managed care.
This Program Was Bigger Than Covered California. Why Did We Ignore It?
By December 2013, nearly 700,000 people had obtained health coverage through California’s Low-Income Health Program, the state’s early expansion of Obamacare coverage — and the “most overlooked” part of health reform, one expert tells California Healthline. Here’s a look at lessons to be learned from the LIHP.
Study: Dual Eligibles Worried About April Transition to Managed Care
A new study from UCLA says seniors are worried about the state’s duals demonstration project. Beginning in April, the state will move about 450,000 Californians eligible for Medicare and Medi-Cal into Medi-Cal managed care plans.
Rosier State Budget Report Prompts Talk About Restoring Health Care Cuts
When California faced fiscal crisis, state officials cut health care spending. Now that it looks like the financial sky is lightening, will the state restore a few of those cuts?
The New Heath Coverage Gap: Will Obama or States Take Action To Close It?
A new health coverage gap is emerging in states that are not expanding Medicaid. Experts wonder whether states will act to help residents who are affected or if the Obama administration will provide aid.