EVENTS

FEB

Meeting of State Health Care Work Force Commission

Sacramento

FEB

State Committee Meeting on Mental Health Services

Conference Call

FEB

Annual Meeting for the Insure the Uninsured Project

Sacramento

View All Events

FROM THE FOUNDATION

Medicare Facts and Figures, 2010 Edition

California has the largest number of Medicare beneficiaries in the United States. This overview of Medicare in California examines the population covered by the program, as well as quality of care, utilization, and spending.

Trends in California's Health Care Markets

Four new issue briefs examine local health care systems to gain insights into regional characteristics and identify common themes and emerging issues that influence how Californians receive their health care.

Employer Health Benefits Survey

The 2009 California Employer Health Benefits Survey shows that workers are paying more in premiums and out-of-pocket costs. And more firms are considering reducing or dropping coverage for employees.

|
Monday
|
Tuesday
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
theWeekly
|

You are not currently logged in - please login or register to view further items and sign up for the daily email update.

Sebelius, Poizner Ask Anthem To Explain Scheduled Premium Hike

Yesterday, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius sent a letter asking Anthem Blue Cross of California to justify a plan to raise premiums by up to 39% for about 800,000 individual policyholders. California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner also has asked the company to delay the increase, pending the results of an investigation by an independent actuary. AP/USA Today et al.

Outlook for Health Care Summit Clouds as GOP Leaders Raise Concerns

In a letter to the White House, House Republican leaders said their caucus might be "reluctant to participate" in a summit President Obama has called for Feb. 25 if the Democratic health care reform legislation remains as a starting point for negotiations. AP/USA Today et al.

New Seismic Safety Law Will Save Hospitals Billions, Experts Say

A bill that was signed into law in fall 2009 and incorporated into state regulations in January could save state hospitals billions of dollars over the next few years, experts say. SB 499 delays the deadlines for hospitals to meet seismic safety standards until 2020 or 2030. San Francisco Business Times.

Calif. DHCS Mailing Mistakenly Includes Beneficiaries' SSNs

A recent mailing from the California Department of Health Care Services to nearly 50,000 adult day health care services beneficiaries mistakenly included their Social Security numbers. The state has begun alerting affected beneficiaries. San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee.

El Dorado County Ends Retiree Health Benefits for Some New Workers

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors has agreed to cut off retiree health benefits for new employees and some rehired workers. Several other California counties also have started reducing public worker benefits in an effort to cut costs. Sacramento Business Journal.

New Program Brings Health Care Stakeholders Together To Curb Hospital-Acquired Infections

Please upgrade to the latest version of Flash Player.

Click here if you already have Flash Player installed.

Gene Grigsby of the National Health Foundation, Leslie Margolin of Anthem Blue Cross, Jon Rosenberg of DPH and the Hospital Council of Northern and Central California's Mary Lopez and Scott Seamons shared their thoughts on the new initiative.

Running Time: 4:56

AROUND CALIFORNIA

California Data Suggest Few Deaths From H1N1 Vaccine

More Nursing Students Turning to For-Profit Colleges

ACROSS THE NATION

Calif. Among States Pursuing Own Paths on Health Reform

First Lady Launches Initiative To Combat Childhood Obesity

OPINION MAKERS

Advocate Criticizes Proposed Cuts to Healthy Families

FEATURES

California Urged To Make Changes, Reform or No Reform

By George Lauer, California Healthline Features Editor

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.

ROAD TO REFORM

Obama Leaves Door Open to Strategy on Health Reform

by Anthony Wilson, California Healthline Contributing Editor

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.