Latest California Healthline Stories
What HHS Would Look Like Under President Romney
Paging Bobby Jindal: With Mitt Romney surging in the polls, “Road to Reform” examines what HHS might look like — and who could lead it — under his administration.
How Wal-Mart May Have Just Changed the Game on Health Care
Wal-Mart last week announced a new bundled payment plan with six leading hospitals, which was immediately overshadowed by the presidential race. But the groundbreaking plan — the latest major health care development in the private sector in recent weeks — holds tremendous potential to change U.S. health care.
‘No Debate,’ Cleveland Clinic’s Great. But How To Replicate?
At last week’s debate, both President Obama and GOP challenger Mitt Romney agreed on one point: The Cleveland Clinic is a model for U.S. health care. But the men had different visions for how to realize similar reforms.
Watch Sears and Darden, Not Obama vs. Romney, for Future of Health Care
Sears Holdings and Darden Restaurants are adopting a new direct contribution model for their employees’ health benefits, a change that may prompt other major companies to follow suit.
FTC, Calif. AG Put Pressure on M&A — and Confuse Providers
Compete — or consolidate? Lawmakers can’t seem to decide which approach they want hospitals and doctors to follow, and the mixed messages are causing confusion.
California Could Lose $61B in Medicare Pay. Does it Matter?
A new analysis projects the impact of the Affordable Care Act’s Medicare cuts on California: at least $61 billion over a decade. It’s a striking figure — but the effect on patients and providers is still unclear.
The Calif. Pilot That Could Prove ACOs Work
After several years of anticipation, early-stage accountable care organizations are beginning to report initial results. Leaders of a Sacramento-based pilot say they have demonstrated clear savings — and the model is replicable.
Too Much Focus on Medicare — and not Enough on Medicaid?
The continued focus on how Barack Obama or Mitt Romney would shape the Medicare program has become a major focus of the presidential campaign. It also means that the candidates’ deep, actual differences on Medicaid policy are being overlooked.
Our Sidneys: Five Policy Studies That Warrant a Close Read
For the second straight summer, “Road to Reform” spotlights five of the most influential — and interesting — studies that were released in recent months. Here’s a look at what the wonks are reading.
Inpatient v. Observation: A Medicare Change That Actually Matters
Presidential proposals sometimes lead to transformative Medicare changes — but more often lead to changes that die on the vine. Meanwhile, the government’s ongoing effort to tamp down Medicare fraud has indirectly led providers to pass more costs on to patients.