Latest California Healthline Stories
The Next Big Battle Over Obamacare: Another Tax
As employers begin to consider future benefits packages, their attention is turned to the Affordable Care Act’s 40% tax on high-cost health plans. Advocates say the tax will help reduce health care costs by discouraging wasteful spending, while critics say the tax will unfairly raise out-of-pocket expenses for workers.
Accountable Care Organizations, Explained
This model of care is one of the ways created by the Affordable Care Act to reduce health care costs while improving quality of care. You can also watch the accompanying video that explains ACOs.
What the Anthem-Cigna Mega-Merger Could Mean for California
Anthem plans to buy Cigna, and their merger would create a new top player in California’s insurance market. But how much will it actually shake up California?
Apples and Oranges: How Should We Look at Republican, Democratic Health Care Plans?
Republican and Democratic 2016 presidential candidates differ so widely in agenda and ideology that it can be difficult to compare how their health reform plans stack up. But experts say there are some best practices to follow when analyzing the proposals.
ACA Improved Rx Drug Access, But Some Still Face Barriers to Finding Best Coverage
The Affordable Care Act requires health plans to include coverage for prescription drugs, but differing medication formularies, incomplete coverage information and other obstacles could be keeping consumers from actually using those benefits.
State Wants Public Health Innovations
Health officials issued an “innovation challenge” to drum up new ideas and fresh community health approaches.
The Affordable Care Act’s Two Futures
Many observers believe the Affordable Care Act is on steadier footing, now that it’s survived two Supreme Court challenges. So what does the future hold for the law? How will it change? And what will it take for the law to be repealed?
Health Care Delivery Reform: Will the ACA’s Changes Stick?
The Affordable Care Act has been a driver for health care delivery system transformation, particularly in the long-term care sector. But experts say only time will tell if these reforms will work.
The Curious Case of Health Care’s Merger Mania — Is Obamacare To Blame?
The health care industry appears poised to undergo a new wave of consolidation, and some observers are blaming Obamacare. Has the law really created an environment ripe for mergers?
There’s bipartisan support for legislation that would eliminate the Affordable Care Act’s Independent Payment Advisory Board, meaning that one of the few ways to limit Medicare spending growth could soon be gone. What other tools could control Medicare spending?