EVENTS

MAY

Meeting of Calif. Mental Health Oversight Panel

Sacramento

MAY

Webinar on Social Wellness Tools for Employee Health

Online

MAY

Summit About Wireless Health Convergence

San Diego

View All Events

FROM THE FOUNDATION

All Over the Map

Newly updated to include breast cancer, prostate cancer, and spine procedures, this CHCF-sponsored research shows that practice patterns vary dramatically from place to place.

Medi-Cal is the main source of health insurance for one in five Californians. An updated report gives an overview of the program's key features, describes how the program is evolving, and examines the challenges ahead.

Obama Care in the Second Term

CHCF is a long-time sponsor of the UC Irvine Forecast Conference. A webcast of this year's conference on health policy in President Obama's second term is now available.

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Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealth Opt Out of State Insurance Exchange

Aetna, Cigna and UnitedHealth will not participate in the state health insurance exchange next year. Meanwhile, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California and Kaiser Permanente have chosen to take part in Covered California. Los Angeles Times.

UC Hospitals: Most Union Members Went to Work During Labor Strike

Officials at University of California medical centers say that most unionized patient care employees worked as scheduled during a labor strike. According to officials, more than 75% of union members worked at the facilities on Tuesday, the first day of the two-day strike. Los Angeles Times.

Report: Employers Cut Hours, Coverage Options Before ACA Was Passed

A new report finds that the trend of employers reducing workers' hours and health coverage options began before the Affordable Care Act was passed. The report says the percentage of part-time workers increased by 5.3% from 2007 to 2011. The Hill's "Healthwatch," CQ HealthBeat.

Senate Panel Approves Immigration Bill With Provider Provision

The Senate Judiciary Committee has passed an immigration bill that would make it easier for foreign-born health professionals to work in the U.S. The bill also would allow some foreign-born people to purchase health plans through insurance exchanges. Modern Healthcare, Politico.

More Than Half of U.S. Doctors Have Received Federal EHR Incentives

Data from HHS show that 55% of eligible office-based physicians have received incentives for the meaningful use of electronic health record systems, while 80% of eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals have received such incentives. Wall Street Journal, HHS release.

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

Assembly member Toni Atkins, Camille Giglio of the California Right To Life Committee, Sierra Harris of ACCESS Women's Health Justice and Tracy Weitz of UC-San Francisco spoke with California Healthline about a bill that would allow some non-physician health professionals to perform a specific type of first-trimester, non-surgical abortion.

Running Time: 4:55

Capitol Desk

Developmental Task Force Launched

California HHS Secretary Diana Dooley has announced the formation of a task force to examine the viability of closing four developmental centers in the state.

Read Capitol Desk

AROUND CALIFORNIA

Number of Elective Surgeries Varies by Region, Study Finds

ACROSS THE NATION

Farm Bill Amendment Would Block ACA Funds for IRS

Group Accused of Violating HIPAA After Boston Bombings

OPINION MAKERS

Opinion: Sugary Drink Tax Would Curb Kids' Obesity

Editorial Lauds EHR System at Santa Clara Hospital

FEATURES

Exchange Premiums Closely Watched by Industry, Nation

by George Lauer, California Healthline Features Editor

According to industry leaders, "everyone will be watching what goes on in California" this week when the state's new health insurance exchange announces which insurers will offer coverage in Covered California and how much they'll charge.

ROAD TO REFORM

How Obamacare Could Change Medi-Cal For the Better (and Worse)

by Dan Diamond, California Healthline Contributing Editor

The Affordable Care Act will help boost Medi-Cal enrollment, which could lead to positive trickle-down effects for California, but observers warn that the program is already dealing with funding and access concerns.

COMMENTS (1)

"The crucial challenge will be granting access to systems with coordinated care capabilities, ongoing QI activities with a population focus, cultural aptitude, and accountability for performance. Dr. Phinney is right. Disaggregated "access" is not m..."

- Wells Shoemaker