EVENTS

MAY

Summit About Wireless Health Convergence

San Diego

MAY

Meeting on Health Issues Related to Substance Use

San Francisco

JUN

National Meeting of Palliative Health Care Congress

Anaheim

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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Californians Struggle To Find Accurate Medical Pricing

It is difficult for California residents to determine the cost of common medical procedures. Although hospitals are required by law to publish average charges for certain procedures, the prices often are not what patients actually pay. Los Angeles Times.

Improvement Plan for Calif. Mental Hospitals Fails, Investigation Finds

A plan to improve conditions at public mental hospitals in California has not achieved goals set by the U.S. Department of Justice. The state Department of Mental Health has begun reversing some of the changes as rates of violence at certain hospitals continue to increase. Los Angeles Times.

Experts See Challenges in New Medicare Payment System for Physicians

The Physician Value-Based Payment Modifier program, set to begin in 2015, will give higher payments to Medicare physicians who provide high-quality care at a lower cost. Experts say it will be difficult to accurately assess doctors' quality of care. Kaiser Health News/Washington Post.

Gov. Brown Says Deficit Could Be Bigger Than Estimated, Calls for Cuts

In a radio interview last week, Gov. Brown said that California's budget deficit likely is higher than the $9.2 billion he previously estimated and that lawmakers must make cuts to state services and collect more tax revenue to address the shortfall. Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert," Los Angeles Times' "PolitiCal."

Lawmakers To Hold Slew of Hearings on Expiring Health Care Policies

Today, Congress returned from recess to a series of hearings aimed at addressing expiring health care policies. Lawmakers will examine an update to prescription drug and medical device user fees, medical malpractice legislation and other issues. The Hill's "Healthwatch."

Misuse of Prescription Painkillers Becoming More Widespread Among Young Californians

Tom Lenox of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Michael Plopper of Sharp HealthCare Behavioral Health Services, Sherrie Rubin of the not-for-profit organization HOPE and Robert Wailes of the California Medical Association's board of trustees spoke with California Healthline about prescription drug misuse.

Running Time: 6:02

Capitol Desk

New Rates Higher but Coverage Better

Premium rates for health insurance through Covered California will be higher, but not as high as predicted -- and coverage will be better.

Read Capitol Desk

SACRAMENTO BEAT

Calif. Lawmakers Look at Tax Returns To Gauge Revenue

Bill Seeks Solar Rooftops To Improve Community Health

AROUND CALIFORNIA

Hospital Deal Could Lead to Higher Health Costs in S.F.

ACROSS THE NATION

Sebelius: No Backup Plan for Federal Health Reform Law

OPINION MAKERS

Editorial: Area Hospitals Must Collaborate on Cancer Care

FEATURES

Funding Ending for Model Oral Health Plan for L.A. Kids

by Stephanie Stephens, California Healthline Regional Correspondent

Funding expires this summer for a low-income children's dental program in Los Angeles that has become a model for preventive oral health care. The program takes aim at the most common chronic pediatric disease -- tooth decay -- that affects overall health.

COMMENTS (1)

"Hi, Dental care is essential for all of us. I always admire to oral hygiene and always try to aware peoples and children’s about oral hygiene and why it is important for healthy life. Thanks teeth care guide"

- Dan Lighter

ROAD TO REFORM

Health IT: The Common Ground in Health Care Reform?

by Paula Blasi, California Healthline Contributing Editor

Arguments inside and outside the Supreme Court building last month reaffirmed the nation's sharp divide over the federal health reform law. But one aspect of the law is likely to continue drawing support from both sides of the aisle: health information technology.