Latest California Healthline Stories
Questions, Concerns Greet Exchange Leaders at S.F. Town Hall Meeting
In one of the first in a series of outreach events, Covered California officials attracted a big crowd and fielded many questions last week in San Francisco.
How Will ACOs Share Liability Risk?
We asked experts and stakeholders how policymakers and accountable care organization leaders should shape the working environment for ACOs, which may face new liability issues under health care reform.
More Doctors Are Quitting Medicare. Is Obamacare Really To Blame?
A recent Wall Street Journal cover story noted that the number of physicians opting out of Medicare has nearly tripled since 2009. Some critics of the Affordable Care Act are blaming their favorite scapegoat, but there’s more to the story.
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.