Latest California Healthline Stories
Health Insurer Consolidation Under Scrutiny
As Congress convenes hearings examining the issue, we asked legislators, consumer advocates and stakeholders to weigh in on the pros and cons of consolidation in the health insurance industry.
New Oversight for Outpatient Surgery
We asked stakeholders and consumer advocates to weigh in on a new state law calling for increased regulations and oversight of California’s growing outpatient surgery industry.
Timing Right for State To Align Health Insurance Oversight Under One Roof?
We asked legislators, regulators, consumer advocates and health care experts to weigh in on a new report saying the timing is right for California to move away from bifurcated oversight and designate a single health insurance regulator.
What To Do About High-Priced Drugs?
According to a new analysis, California taxpayers could pay as much as $5.1 billion a year to treat hepatitis C patients in state-funded programs, adding fuel to some experts’ contention that expensive drugs may bankrupt the health system. We asked consumer advocates, insurers, state health officials and pharmaceutical manufacturers to weigh in on the issue.
What Has Half a Century of Medicaid Meant for U.S.?
Experts and stakeholders reflect on half a century of Medicaid as we approach the 50th anniversary of two national health programs.
Should California Prohibit ‘Skinny’ Health Insurance Plans From Large Employers?
We asked legislators, consumer advocates, employers and insurers to weigh in on a bill in the California Legislature that would prohibit large employers from offering workers “skinny” health plans in California.
Long-Term Care Reform Package Making Its Way Through Legislature
We asked stakeholders and legislators to weigh in on a package of two dozen bills in the state Legislature aimed at improving the state’s support network for aging and long-term care.
Pros, Cons of Two State Bills Dealing With Not-for-Profit Hospitals
We asked legislators, consumer advocates, hospital officials and academic experts to weigh in on two bills in the California Legislature dealing with community benefits provided by not-for-profit hospitals.
Should Terminally Ill Californians Have the Right To Choose How, When They Die?
We asked legislators, physicians, nurses, religious leaders and consumer advocates to weigh in on a proposal in the state Legislature that would give terminally ill Californians the right to ask for medical help to end their lives.
How To Pay for Retiree Health Coverage
We asked politicians, academics and consumer advocates how California should pay for the rising costs of providing health coverage for retired state workers.