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

End-of-Life Choices

Trends in end-of-life care show that not only does the care given vary widely from region to region and hospital to hospital, but also patients often don't get the care they prefer. What can be done?

Care Management Puzzle

Chronic diseases and the cost of care are rising. Are disease management programs improving outcomes for patients with complex, chronic conditions?

No Middleman

Under the "direct primary care" model, patients pay a monthly fee for basic medical services. Learn about the history and current landscape of physician practices offering this arrangement.

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Report: California Cities Top List of Most-Polluted Regions in U.S.

Despite recent progress in improving air quality, a new American Lung Association report finds that most of the U.S. cities with the highest air pollution rates are located in California. San Francisco Chronicle, ALA release.

Senate Panel Approves Bill on Health Care Worker Flu Vaccination

A Senate committee approved a bill to require health care workers to receive an influenza vaccination or wear a mask. Meanwhile, an Assembly panel is considering a bill on personal belief exemptions to the state's immunization requirement. Woodland Daily Democrat et al.

House OKs Student Loan Bill That Would Cut Preventive Health Funds

Last week, the House approved a student loan bill that would cut funding from the health reform law's Prevention and Public Health Fund. The measure is expected to be defeated in the Senate, and White House officials said President Obama would veto the bill. Reuters et al.

California Community Clinics Integrate Mental Health, Clinical Care

Many California community clinics are using federal health reform law funding to transition to the medical home model of care. However, efforts to expand access to comprehensive care largely depend on the Supreme Court's decision on the constitutionality of the overhaul. HealthyCal.

Experts Link Recession, Changing Views to Drop in Health Care Spending

Economists say the recent sharp decline in health care spending could be related to the recession, but other factors might be at play. They note that the decline also could stem from clinicians' and patients' changing views about health care spending. New York Times, Reuters.

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

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.

Read Capitol Desk

SACRAMENTO BEAT

Munger Continues Moving Forward With Tax Hike Plan

AROUND CALIFORNIA

S.F. Spinal Implant Billing Firm Faces Fraud Charges

ACROSS THE NATION

UCSF Study Says Unmet Basic Needs Weaken HIV Progress

GAO: Millions of U.S. Adults Have Pre-Existing Conditions

OPINION MAKERS

Editorial: Tobacco Companies Distorting Facts on Prop. 29

THE THINK TANK

How Should California Respond if Part or All of ACA Is Struck Down?

California, which has embraced and prepared for reform more aggressively than most states, might have the most to lose if the rules change. We asked policymakers and stakeholders how California should respond if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down part or all of the Affordable Care Act.

COMMENTS (1)

"It is sad to see all of you defending your interest groups instead of addressing the unspoken problem: people who do have insurance and try to live healthy lives are outraged to see their money going to provide care to people who are unwilling to do ..."

- William Halverson

FEATURES

Successful Program for Seniors Shifting to Managed Care

by David Gorn, California Healthline Sacramento Bureau

The Multipurpose Senior Services Program, considered an important component of the state's safety net for some of California's most frail seniors, is about to be folded into the larger managed care system. Some beneficiaries and advocates are concerned about what the shift will mean for services.

COMMENTS (1)

"Thank you, David, for this story. It is so important that the services which are the safety net do not get lost in a massive shift in delivery of care. I am pleased to read that the Department of Health Care Services views the relationship between ..."

- Debbie Toth