Latest California Healthline Stories
State of Contention as Officials Wrestle Over Reform Law
The health reform law has presented a significant challenge for many of the nation’s governors, who are struggling with scarce funding, election-year politics and new federal policies. In some states, officials are moving forward to comply with certain portions of the law as they also fight the overhaul in court.
How Reform Could Affect Four Key Populations
A health policy expert explores how the national health reform would affect four groups of U.S. residents. While younger workers are poised to benefit, Medicare beneficiaries may feel cuts.
Berwick Takes Reins at CMS, But Reign Might Be Short
Donald Berwick’s selection to run CMS is among President Obama’s most influential policy decisions. However, the White House’s move to install Berwick via recess appointment has been criticized and may complicate his role in the reform law’s implementation.
Fiscal Issues Could Put Medicaid Expansion in Jeopardy
The health care overhaul relies on a significant expansion of Medicaid to reduce the uninsured population. Budgetary pressures that have forced many states to implement cuts to Medicaid ahead of the expansion and uncertainty about federal funding have raised questions about the plan’s viability.
New Data From Mass. Revive Old Concerns
Massachusetts has served as the proverbial canary in the health reform coal mine, and new findings about rising health costs and access concerns in the Bay State underscore the risks of the nation’s health care overhaul.
Insurer Response Remains Key Story To Watch
The health industry’s focus is on HHS this week, as the department sprints to launch insurance portals and pools by key implementation deadlines. However, tensions between policymakers and private payers remain the long-term narrative to watch.
Despite Best Intentions, New Ratios Creating Problems
Requiring insurers to spend a certain amount on patient care was a widely acclaimed element of the health care overhaul. However, early efforts to set standards for medical-loss ratios are delayed, and resistance is growing. While some say industrywide MLR standards remain achievable, others are warning that it’s a “fool’s errand.”
Calls To Repeal Reform Win Now, But What’s Next?
Many Republican candidates who favor a repeal of the health reform law won their primaries last week, including California governor and Senate hopefuls Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina. However, the primary results might not be a meaningful barometer for this fall’s midterm elections.
Why Small Businesses Aren’t Embracing Reform
The health reform law was supposed to help small businesses. So why have some turned against it?
High-Risk Pools May Need Lower Expectations
With days to go before uninsured residents can begin applying to new high-risk insurance pools, issues ahead of the program’s launch have emerged as a microcosm of the past year’s health debate.