Latest California Healthline Stories
Changes on Horizon for California Safety Net’s Care of Undocumented, Indigent
Community clinics and public hospitals in California remain the primary health care option for millions of undocumented immigrants who are ineligible for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Safety-net facilities’ strategies for remaining solvent are changing under health care reform.
A Dozen Hospitals Are Laying Off Staff and Blaming Obamacare. Don’t Believe Them.
Hospital leaders from coast to coast are blaming the health reform law for recent decisions to pare their payrolls. And while the Affordable Care Act is creating new pressure for providers — from tighter reimbursement to new penalties on poor performance — the full story is much more complex.
Researchers Helping Legislative Staff Craft Health Care Reform Message
Preparing for the Affordable Care Act includes a massive public education effort, but the public isn’t the only sector that needs training. Legislative staff members are getting pointers from researchers at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.
Inland Empire Preps for Medi-Cal Growth
County hospitals in Riverside and San Bernardino that helped design and build “bridges to reform” are now making plans to guide more than 50,000 Inland Empire residents in their transition from Low Income Health Plans to Medi-Cal on Jan. 1.
No Health Care for Young Men? Debating a Generation’s Feelings on Obamacare
As the enrollment period for Obamacare’s health insurance exchanges nears, experts are debating whether young, healthy adults will purchase plans in the marketplaces. Research shows some young adults know very little about the health law, while observers wonder if they value insurance enough to buy it.
UPS Among the First To Dump Spousal Coverage. It Won’t Be the Last.
UPS’ eye-catching announcement to exclude 15,000 spouses of employees from its health insurance plan is being blamed, in part, on the Affordable Care Act. Here’s a closer look at the decision, whether it will be a tipping point for other firms and the zero-sum game behind dropping spousal coverage.
$9 Million Grant for Consumer Outreach
The state’s consumer outreach effort got a boost last week with the announcement of more than $9 million in grant money to help Californians navigate new health insurance options.
Exchange Accelerating Toward Deadline
From securing a lease for a Fresno call center to submitting its bridge proposal to HHS, it’s a busy time for Covered California as the new health benefit exchange closes in on an Oct. 1 opening date.
Obamacare Obstacle: Consumers’ Confusion When Picking a Plan
Recent surveys show that many U.S. residents are confused about health insurance terms, which could make things tricky when purchasing coverage through the insurance exchanges. Several efforts are underway to clarify the process and direct individuals to policies that fit their medical — and financial — needs.
ACOs Expand Amid Uncertain Futures
Accountable care organizations, one of the key tools for keeping costs down under health reform, have had mixed success so far in California. Some providers are saving money, but whether they’ll be able to sustain savings while meeting quality standards remains to be seen, experts say.