Latest Morning Briefing Stories
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.
Immigrants Hit Hard by Governor’s Planned Medi-Cal Cuts, Changes
In five months, Californians have moved from talking about major reforms that would bring affordable health care to almost everyone in the state to talking about deep cuts in the Medi-Cal program that could add 800,000 to the 6.7 million already without health insurance. Immigrants will be among the most affected, health advocates predict.
Holes Forming in Health Care Safety Net for California Children
Critics say changes proposed for two California programs providing health coverage for low-income children — Healthy Families and Medi-Cal — bode ill for “the most vulnerable population” in the state.