California Lawmakers To Vote on Bill Addressing Patient 'Capturing'

State lawmakers will vote this week on a bill that would reduce insurer payments to hospitals that admit too many out-of-network, privately insured patients. The bill follows reports of aggressive billing practices by Prime Healthcare. California Watch.

State Senate To Conduct Hearing on Bill Limiting Stop-Loss Insurance

The Senate this week will hold a hearing on a bill that would limit health plans known as stop-loss policies for small businesses. The bill would ban stop-loss coverage below $95,000 for each worker to equalize risk among small businesses that self-insure. Los Angeles Times.

GAO Report: U.S. Should Abandon Bonus Program for Medicare Advantage

A new report from the Government Accountability Office calls for canceling a demonstration program that provides quality bonus payments to Medicare Advantage plans. The report contends that the program is unlikely to "produce meaningful results." New York Times et al.

Calif. Grapples With Rising Public Retiree Health Care Costs

State and local governments are facing increasing retiree health care costs, which are projected to double over the next 10 years. The costs have increased over the last decade from $560 million annually to a projected $1.7 billion in the next fiscal year. AP/Sacramento Bee.

Medicare Trustees To Release Report; Program Still Facing Insolvency

The Medicare trustees' annual financial reports are scheduled to be released today. Although growth in Medicare spending has slowed, the program still is headed toward insolvency. About 10,000 baby boomers become eligible for Medicare each day. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.

Misuse of Prescription Painkillers Becoming More Widespread Among Young Californians

Capitol Desk

Hidden Issues in Medi-Cal Cut Bills

Two bills are pending in the California Legislature to reverse the 2011 Medi-Cal provider reimbursement rate cuts. At the same time, a federal judge is deciding whether or not to approve the cuts. How will the two decisions affect each other?

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

Brown's $96.4B Revised Budget Expects More Medi-Cal Spending

89 Individuals Charged With About $233M in Alleged Medicare Fraud

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

State Health Insurance Exchange To Be Voter Registration Hub

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

Blended Medicare Plan Could Save $180B Over 10 Years, Study Finds

Cantor Seeks Another Vote on Full Repeal of Affordable Care Act

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

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

Counties Struggle To Prepare for Influx of Mental Health Patients

California Senate Details Lax Oversight of Drug, Alcohol Counselors