Study: Reported Charges Vary Between California Hospitals

A new study finds that reported hospital charges for certain treatments vary among California hospitals. However, hospital officials say that the findings are of little value because the charges do not represent what patients actually pay. Ventura County Star.

Concerns Raised About Access to Primary Care in Sacramento County

Health care leaders in Sacramento County are concerned about the lack of primary care services available to low-income and uninsured residents. The county once operated six public clinics but now runs only one, while not-for-profit community clinics are scarce. Sacramento Bee.

House Panel OKs Budget Plan That Includes Cuts to Health Care Spending

The House Budget Committee has approved a budget plan that would cut funding from Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program and other health initiatives. The full House likely will pass the bill, but the Senate is expected to reject it. AP/San Francisco Chronicle et al.

Supporters of Munger's Tax Hike Plan Submit 830,000 Signatures

Supporters of Molly Munger's tax hike plan have submitted 830,000 signatures to election officials, which should be enough to qualify the initiative for the November ballot. Munger said a cooperative campaign with supporters of a rival tax plan from Gov. Brown is possible. KPCC's "KPCC News," Sacramento Bee.

New Study Predicts That U.S. Obesity Rate Will Rise to 42% by 2030

A study released at a CDC conference predicts that the percentage of U.S. residents who are obese will reach 42% by 2030. The study notes that the U.S. could save $550 billion in medical costs by maintaining the current obesity rate of 36%. Washington Times et al.

Misuse of Prescription Painkillers Becoming More Widespread Among Young Californians

Capitol Desk

Ethnicity, Race To Be Part of Quality Data?

A bill calling for the state to include race and ethnicity data when compiling health care quality statistics was approved in an Assembly floor vote yesterday.

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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

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

Cantor Seeks Another Vote on Full Repeal of Affordable Care Act

Gov. Brown Signs Two Health Insurance Protection Measures

Editorial Says Obama's Health Reform Claim Is 'Duplicitous'

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

Counties Struggle To Prepare for Influx of Mental Health Patients

California Senate Details Lax Oversight of Drug, Alcohol Counselors

Increasing Medical Residencies Could Help Inland Empire

Few Doctors Say More Nurse Practitioners Would Improve Care