Supporters of Tobacco Tax Hike Ballot Initiative Concede Defeat

Supporters of Proposition 29 -- a tobacco tax hike ballot initiative -- have admitted defeat, saying recent vote counts suggest that the measure cannot win. Prop. 29 opponents say they will not declare victory until the final count is released. Sacramento Bee et al.

Officials Tout Benefits of 'Bridge to Reform' Ahead of Supreme Court Ruling

Health officials in California are praising a program that aims to implement the federal health reform law's Medicaid expansion ahead of schedule. Some officials say the program could work even if the U.S. Supreme Court rules against the overhaul. Ventura County Star.

Gaining Coverage Boosts Health, Raises Spending, Oregon Study Finds

A continuing study of a 2008 effort to expand Medicaid coverage in Oregon finds that gaining insurance coverage improves an individual's health, happiness and financial stability, while also increasing the amount of money the individual spends on health care. New York Times.

Health Advocates Say Healthy Families Shift Could Increase Costs

Health care advocates say a plan to eliminate Healthy Families and shift beneficiaries to Medi-Cal could raise state costs. They say the plan might reduce support for a managed care tax that generates $183 million annually. Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert," Sacramento Bee.

Many U.S. Consumers Confused About Health Care Cost Information

Although U.S. consumers are starting to take on a larger share of their medical costs, many of them are unaware of how health care providers bill for services. Experts say that medical pricing and cost comparison data often are not easily accessible for consumers. New York Times.

San Francisco Bay Area Aims To Tackle STIs With No-Cost Home Tests for Young Women

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?

Read Capitol Desk

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

State Health Insurance Exchange To Be Voter Registration Hub

California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of May 17, 2013

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

Gov. Brown Signs Two Health Insurance Protection Measures

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

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

Increasing Medical Residencies Could Help Inland Empire