Judge OKs Strike at UC Medical Centers, Orders Some To Work

A Sacramento judge has refused to stop a strike by thousands of workers at five University of California medical centers, but he has barred 450 critical care workers from participating in the strike, citing a threat to public health or safety. Sacramento Bee et al.

Bill Would Strip Calif.'s Ability To Conceal State Health Exchange Records

Two California senators are pushing a bill that would strip state authority to conceal certain health insurance exchange records. The bill would allow a one-year delay in the release of large health plan contracts and subject other contracts to state open-record laws. AP/KPCC's "KPCC News."

EDs Responsible for Half of Hospital Admissions, RAND Report Finds

A RAND study finds that emergency departments drive about 50% of all U.S. hospital admissions and between 2003 and 2009 accounted for nearly all admissions growth. However, the report says EDs' contribution to rising health care spending is unclear. The Hill's "Healthwatch," New York Times.

Reports Find Variation in Prostate, Breast Cancer Treatments Across Calif.

The California HealthCare Foundation has released two reports that find variations in treatment for prostate and breast cancer according to where patients live in the state. Experts say the findings indicate that physicians most often are determining treatments. Contra Costa Times.

OIG Rule: States Can Use Federal Funds for Medicaid Data Mining

On Friday, HHS' Office of the Inspector General published a final rule allowing state Medicaid fraud units to use federal funding for data mining efforts to find fraudulent billing. OIG predicted that the final rule will save about $72 million from 2014 to 2023. Modern Healthcare, CQ HealthBeat.

State's Proposed Scope-of-Practice Changes Designed To Expand Access to Abortions

Capitol Desk

High-Risk Pool Shifts to Federal Control

New federal rules will shift management of the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan away from California officials for the rest of 2013.

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State Health Insurance Exchange To Be Voter Registration Hub

California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of May 17, 2013

Calif. Health Exchange Announces Recipients of $37M in Outreach Grants

Democrats, Patient Advocates Seek To Restore Health Program Funds

Counties Struggle To Prepare for Influx of Mental Health Patients

Expert: Premiums for Individual Health Plans in Exchange Will Be High

CDC Finds Up to 20% of U.S. Children Have Mental Health Disorders

Repealing the Affordable Care Act Would Drive Up Federal Deficit, CBO Says

Calif. Health Exchange Announces Recipients of $37M in Outreach Grants

Gov. Brown Signs Two Health Insurance Protection Measures

S.F., Labor Unions Urge Kaiser To Revise Planned 2014 Premium Rate Hike

CDC Finds Up to 20% of U.S. Children Have Mental Health Disorders

Increasing Medical Residencies Could Help Inland Empire

Counties Struggle To Prepare for Influx of Mental Health Patients

Reports Find Variation in Prostate, Breast Cancer Treatments Across Calif.