Latest Morning Briefing Stories
‘Churning’: The Latest Watchword for States Working on Health Reform
States are working to reduce “churning” — which happens when income changes cause individuals to shift in and out of health insurance programs. In California, officials do not have a firm strategy to prevent such cycling, but a bill before the governor would address the problem.
Medi-Cal Children Having Trouble Getting Dental Care Services, Survey Says
A study released yesterday by The Children’s Partnership shows some Medi-Cal beneficiaries — especially Spanish speaking families — are having difficulty getting dental care.
New Campaign for Medi-Cal Enrollment
California Primary Care Association launched a statewide campaign last week to get Californians to take advantage of the state’s expanded Medi-Cal program.
Sorting Out Dozens of Health Care Bills — Some Passed, Some Pending
Like detritus carried down a swollen river after a big rainstorm, hundreds of bills were floated in Sacramento during the last session — including many dozens of health care-related bills. Here are some of the bigger ones that made it to dry land and a number of others that sunk.
Primary Care Provider Rate Bump Delayed
The temporary increase in Medi-Cal rates for primary care providers — which the federal government launched in January — won’t be distributed by California health officials until the fall.
Transparency Sought for Health Care Department
One of a few bills still making its way through the committee process at the end of the California Legislature session seeks to bring a higher level of transparency to the Department of Health Care Services.
Bill Would Exempt Some Skilled Nursing Facilities From Cut
The effort to reverse a Medi-Cal reimbursement rate cut still is moving forward as an urgency measure, even though the Legislature already passed a budget.
Spring Studies Carry Implications for Affordable Care Act
This spring found a slew of studies with important takeaways for the Affordable Care Act. Catch up with “Road to Reform” on five of the most important research offerings of the last few months.
Floor Vote Coming for ‘De-linking’ Plan
A legislative committee yesterday questioned a proposal to “de-link” some provisions of the Coordinated Care Initiative and to expand the role of the Department of Finance in the state’s plans for covering Californians eligible for Medicare and Medi-Cal.
Medi-Cal Dental Coverage Partially Restored
Northern California leaders of the campaign to restore dental coverage for adult Medi-Cal beneficiaries consider this week’s budget agreement between the governor and legislative leaders a partial victory.