Latest California Healthline Stories
‘Elephant in the Room’ Could Be Providers’ Market Power
Health insurers have emerged as a convenient target during the health care reform debate, but some researchers are shining a spotlight on health care providers’ role in driving up health care costs.
Reform Opponents Continue Mobilization in States
As President Obama and Democratic congressional leaders push ahead on health care reform legislation, state lawmakers are considering proposals aimed at letting states opt out of some elements of the proposed bills.
National Reform Plans Don’t Call for Employer Mandate
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s 2007 health care overhaul plan would have required employers to share the cost of expanding health insurance coverage, and the Healthy San Francisco program requires firms to share the cost of ensuring workers’ access to health care services. Democratic congressional leaders and President Obama are proposing other approaches.
Medicaid Expansion a Minefield in Push for Health Care Reform
Proposals that would have opened up Medicaid to millions more Americans set off a fierce battle as states worried about additional costs down the road. Gov. Schwarzenegger was one of the loudest critics of the proposals, perhaps not surprisingly given California’s $20 billion budget deficit.
Is California Ripe for Global Payment, ACOs?
Reworking the health care payment system has been a key aspect of health care reform proposals in Congress. A major Massachusetts insurer has pushed ahead and adopted a global payment system, raising questions about whether California is ready to make a similar move toward global payments and accountable care organizations.
Anthem Blue Cross of California Rate Hikes Spark Outcry
President Obama and other proponents of the Democratic plans for health care reform are pointing to planned rate hikes for Anthem Blue Cross of California’s individual policies as a case in point for overhauling the health care system. Will provisions on medical-loss ratios and rate-increase reviews move forward?
California Urged To Make Changes, Reform or No Reform
State and national health care leaders agree that California should seek ways to improve the state’s health care system no matter what emerges — or doesn’t emerge — from Washington.
Obama Leaves Door Open to Strategy on Health Reform
President Obama’s State of the Union address made clear that he will not back down on health reform and that he expects lawmakers to follow suit. What isn’t as clear is what path lawmakers will take to move forward.
Shift in Medicare Pay Policies Could Hit Safety Net Facilities
Researchers are raising concerns that efforts to cut Medicare reimbursement rates for preventable hospital readmissions could underscore disparities between facilities that cater to vulnerable populations and hospitals with patient bases that are higher up on the economic ladder.
Reform Debate Drives Question of Minimum Benefits
Cost has played a central role in the debate over health care reform, but much less has been made of fundamental questions over what level of benefits should be available. Is it better to provide a more generous benefits package, even if it means more people will be left without coverage?