Latest California Healthline Stories
Scope-of-Practice Bills Proceed, Pause
A scope-of-practice bill for pharmacists was approved by an Assembly committee yesterday. Another bill supporting expansion for nurse practitioners failed but may get another chance next week.
‘Churning’: The Latest Watchword for States Working on Health Reform
States are working to reduce “churning” — which happens when income changes cause individuals to shift in and out of health insurance programs. In California, officials do not have a firm strategy to prevent such cycling, but a bill before the governor would address the problem.
California Businesses Welcome ACA Delay
California’s business community welcomed a one-year delay for an Affordable Care Act provision requiring large employers to provide health insurance for workers.
Health Reform Polls Are Inconsistent and Confusing. Should We Still Pay Attention?
Numerous polls tracking the Affordable Care Act have produced seemingly incongruous and often confusing results. But polling experts say that there is wisdom in the data, even if the results have stayed much the same since the law was enacted.
The Employer Mandate Debate Doesn’t Matter. Here’s What Does.
Republicans’ latest gambit to fight Obamacare by attacking the employer mandate is getting national headlines. But the one-year delay for the mandate is one of the least-interesting things happening to employer-based health care.
Training Launched for Exchange Educators
Covered California this week began training 2,000 community-based educators who will help sign people up for the state’s health benefit exchange.
Legislature Responds to Critical UC Report
State legislators, responding to a critical union report, called on University of California medical center officials to answer questions of capacity, access and quality of care with an onslaught of patients expected under the Affordable Care Act.
Should Covered California Be Allowed To Keep Secrets?
We asked legislators and stakeholders to weigh in on the advantages and disadvantages of keeping some data concealed in the workings of the state’s new health insurance exchange. A bill proposes to rewrite Covered California’s bylaws to provide more transparency.
Aetna and United Are Out of California. Who’s Moving In?
Two of the nation’s biggest health insurers are leaving California’s individual market. Find out why that might be a good thing and meet the plans that are moving in to take their place.
The Many Ways To Sell Obamacare
Eva Longoria, Jay-Z and Beyoncé might not seem like logical Affordable Care Act spokespeople. But the White House hopes to tap such celebrities and professional athletes to promote the law.