Latest Morning Briefing Stories
California’s Medi-Cal Automation System May Get a Reboot
The computer systems that manage California’s human services programs — including Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program — are nearing the end of their useful lives. Legislators are trying to figure out how the cash-strapped state can pay for new ones.
Assessing Health Care Impacts of Reforms for Immigrants
Health policy experts, immigrants and immigrant rights organizations are assessing the health care impacts for immigrants in one sweeping reform already signed into law and the potential impacts of another one on the horizon — immigration reform.
Federal Officials Seek Input From States on Health Reform
Officials from CMS and HHS delivered a consistent health reform message last week at the National Conference of State Legislatures Spring Forum in Washington, D.C.: “We’re all in this together and the more we can help each other, the better.”
Seeking Answers on Medicaid Expansion
The success of the health reform implementation hinges on a broad Medicaid expansion, but state officials have significant questions as they grapple with new requirements. Meanwhile, the reform law likely prevents the governor’s proposed budget cuts to state health insurance programs.
How Will Reform Affect County Programs for the Indigent?
We asked experts to predict how national reform might affect California’s struggling county-run programs providing medical care for indigent adults. The state has several options over the next three-and-a-half years before expanded Medi-Cal arrives.
California Falling Short in Kids’ Dental Care, Studies Say
One study gives California a “C” in dental care for low-income children and another contends tooth decay is at epidemic proportions among kids in Los Angeles County’s poorest communities. Researchers and dental advocates urge policymakers to pay more attention to oral health.
Stakeholders Line Up Against Health Cuts in Governor’s Budget Plan
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s fiscal year 2010-2011 budget proposal calls for cuts to health care and social services and raises the prospect of even deeper cuts if the federal government doesn’t provide more money to the state.
Health Advocates, Legislators See Little To Like in Governor’s Proposed Health Program Cuts
Carla Kakutani of the California Academy of Family Physicians, Wendy Lazarus of the Children’s Partnership, Assembly member Jim Nielsen and Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg discussed the governor’s plan.
Reviews Mixed for New Law on Nursing Home Ratings
Beginning in 2011, California nursing homes that participate in Medicare or Medicaid will be required to post their ratings from CMS’ five-star system. Supporters of the law say it will help consumers make health care decisions, but nursing home operators say CMS’ system is inaccurate.
California’s Safety Net Health Centers Seeing More Low-Income Patients, Less State Funding
Carmela Castellano-Garcia of CPCA, Melissa Stafford Jones of CAPH and William Walker of Contra Costa Health Services spoke with California Healthline about growing strain on the state’s safety net health care system.