Survey: Patients, Physicians Not Discussing End-of-Life Care

A California HealthCare Foundation survey finds that about 80% of residents would want to talk to their physicians about end-of-life care if they became seriously ill. However, only 7% of residents have done so. Contra Costa Times, San Francisco Chronicle.

Steinberg Seeks Review of Sacramento County Dental Plan for Children

Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg is calling for a state review of Sacramento County's dental program for children enrolled in Medi-Cal. Steinberg says the program's prevention and treatment services are "woefully inadequate." Sacramento Bee.

Federal Gov't Recovered $4.1B in Health Care Fraud Judgments in 2011

This morning, federal officials announced that they recovered a record-high $4.1 billion in health care fraud judgments last year. Officials attributed the increased recovery rate to new tools and methods used for detecting fraudulent Medicare claims. AP/Washington Post.

Enrollment in Riverside Co.'s Health Plan for the Uninsured Nears 3,000

About 2,700 low-income Riverside County residents who do not qualify for Medi-Cal have been enrolled in a new countywide health plan that emphasizes timely primary and preventive care. The program directs residents seeking care to public health clinics. HealthyCal.

House GOP To Push Bill To Extend Payroll Tax Break Without 'Doc Fix'

House Republicans plan to introduce a stand-alone bill to extend the payroll tax break through the end of the year. Democrats said they would prefer to pursue a single bill that addresses the payroll tax break, "doc fix" and unemployment benefits. Wall Street Journal et al.

Center for Democracy & Technology's McGraw Discusses Health Data Privacy Challenges

Capitol Desk

How Health Plans See Passage of MCO Tax

State officials reached an agreement on reinstating the managed care organization tax in part by addressing several of the desires of the institutions being taxed.

Read Capitol Desk

Consumer Group Criticizes Exchange Rates for Being High

Jones Wants Anthem Excluded From Small Business Exchange

Lawmakers OK Spending Plan, Medi-Cal Expansion Legislation

County, State Officials Reach Agreement on Expanding Medi-Cal

California Faces Several Unique Challenges in ACA Implementation

Jones Wants Anthem Excluded From Small Business Exchange

Consumer Group Criticizes Exchange Rates for Being High

U.S. Senators Ask HHS To Review California Exchange Disclosure

Lawmakers Join Rally Against 10% Cut to Medi-Cal Reimbursements

California Acupuncture Providers Expect Surge in Patients Under ACA

Consumer Group Criticizes Exchange Rates for Being High

Medi-Cal Dental Coverage Partially Restored

Plan for Autism Medi-Cal Benefit Rejected

Yamada Takes a Lonely Stand on ADHC Bill

California Acupuncture Providers Expect Surge in Patients Under ACA