NAIC: Some Insurers No Longer Writing Plans for Kids' Coverage

Some insurers have stopped offering plans specifically for children because of the reform law's requirement that insurers cover kids regardless of pre-existing conditions, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The Hill's "Healthwatch" et al.

Bill Could Gain Support as Whooping Cough Cases Break Records

Assembly member Juan Arambula has resurrected a bill that would allow schools to require whooping cough immunizations for incoming seventh-graders. The measure might gain new support because of California's recent outbreak of the disease. Fresno Bee, Redding Record Searchlight.

Patients of VA Facilities Allowed To Use Medical Marijuana Where Legal

Veterans who seek care at Veterans Affairs facilities will be permitted to use medical marijuana in states where it is legal. Health care officials say the decision will affect how physicians prescribe pain medications. New York Times, AP/San Francisco Chronicle.

Poizner Announces New E-mail Program Alerting Residents to Rate Hikes

California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner recently announced that residents can sign up to receive e-mails notifying them when health insurers file rate increases for individual health insurance policies. Modern Healthcare, California Department of Insurance release.

Cuts to Medicare Signify Shift in Social Outlook, Some Analysts Claim

Some health care analysts say that cuts to Medicare Advantage will be used to help extend insurance coverage to millions of younger individuals. Government officials maintain that savings will be extracted from overpayments to private insurers. Wall Street Journal.

New Study Linking End-of-Life Directives With Hospitalization Has Implications for California

Kenneth Brummel-Smith of Florida State University College of Medicine, Judy Citko of the Coalition for Compassionate Care of California and Jeffrey Yee of Woodland Healthcare spoke with California Healthline about the study.

Running Time: 5:06

Capitol Desk

What Happened to Single-Payer Bill?

The controversial proposal to establish a single-payer health care system in California made a lot of noise as it made its way through the state Legislature -- but it came to a quiet end on the last night of the legislative session.

Read Capitol Desk

UCLA Study Finds Rising Levels of Obesity, Diabetes in California

Health Care Bills Meet Different Fates on Final Day of Legislative Action

California Legislators Fail To Pass Budget Plan by End of Regular Session

Premiums for Safety-Net Health Plans Rise With State Approval

Millions of Eligible Kids Not Enrolled in CHIP, Medicaid, Study Finds

Millions of Eligible Kids Not Enrolled in CHIP, Medicaid, Study Finds

UCLA Study Finds Rising Levels of Obesity, Diabetes in California

Senate Passes Bill That Aims To Revive State Breast Cancer Program

As Deadline Nears, Lawmakers Pass Bills To Cover More Care

Doc Shortage Made Worse by Low Participation in Medi-Cal

UCLA Study Finds Rising Levels of Obesity, Diabetes in California

University of Colorado-Denver's Eric Coleman on the Need for Better Care Transitions

Medical Home Bill Musters Just Enough Votes

Fresno Clinic May Help Prevent Physician Burnout

Millions of Eligible Kids Not Enrolled in CHIP, Medicaid, Study Finds