01/05/2009
Aides to Gov. Schwarzenegger rolled out a proposal aimed at closing the state's more than $40 billion budget deficit over the next 18 months. The plan would cut Medi-Cal and calls for shifting funds from special accounts for mental health services and early childhood health care and education programs to other state efforts. Sacramento Bee et al.
01/05/2009
Twenty-four health plans in California administer Healthy Families benefits, and a state survey found that consumer satisfaction was highest for Health Plan of San Joaquin County. Six other health plans surpassed the average consumer satisfaction rating. Stockton Record.
12/19/2008
Lesley Cummings of the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board, Wendy Lazarus of the Children's Partnership and Kris Perry of First 5 California talked to California Healthline about creative financing to keep Healthy Families up and running.
12/18/2008
A grant from California's First 5 Commission will cover 96% of Healthy Families' budget deficit for the current fiscal year, allowing enrollment to continue. The state board that administers the program was set to vote on an enrollment cap at its meeting yesterday. Ventura County Star et al.
12/17/2008
The California Assembly is scheduled to vote on Republican legislators' budget plan today, after a Democratic proposal did not win sufficient support. The Republican plan seeks to reallocate funds for mental health services and children's health and education efforts. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
12/16/2008
Research from UCLA found that more than half of the kids who went without health insurance at some point in 2007 were eligible for Medi-Cal or Healthy Families but were not enrolled in the programs. Fewer than 7% of uninsured adults were eligible for Medi-Cal. Los Angeles Daily News.
12/16/2008
The California agency that oversees proceeds of a state tobacco tax hike voted to provide almost $17 million to help Healthy Families avoid freezing enrollment. The cap would have resulted in more than 160,000 children being put on a waiting list for coverage. The funds from First 5 are a temporary reprieve for Healthy Families as state budget negotiations continue. Los Angeles Times et al.
12/16/2008
California Republican legislators outlined a proposal to boost revenue in large part by reallocating billions of dollars in funds from voter-approved initiatives for mental health services and early childhood health and education. Medi-Cal also would be cut under the plan. Los Angeles Times et al.
12/15/2008
A budget plan that Republican legislators are expected to announce today is reported to propose letting the state tap into funding allocated for early childhood health and education programs funded by First 5 and mental health services funded under Proposition 63. Sacramento Bee et al.
12/12/2008
Congressional Democrats and President-elect Barack Obama are building the case for increased federal spending on health care as part of an economic stimulus package. State Medicaid programs and health information technology are among the programs being considered for funding increases. Washington Post et al.
12/12/2008
New research from Families USA projects that more than one million people could lose health care benefits as a result of state cuts to Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Programs. Reductions to provider payments are the most common cuts. Reuters et al.
12/11/2008
Democratic congressional leaders are working to craft an economic stimulus package that includes additional federal funding to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program and boost adoption of health information technology. Lawmakers' opinions are mixed on whether funding for SCHIP should be included in the stimulus package. CQ HealthBeat et al.
12/10/2008
Department of Veterans Affairs officials plan to open a new outpatient medical clinic in Yuba County. The new clinic is one of four new health care facilities planned for California, and one of 21 new VA clinics planned nationwide. Marysville Appeal-Democrat.
12/10/2008
Incoming House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Henry Waxman has begun to map out his health care priorities for the next Congress. Waxman's priorities include increasing scrutiny of drug marketing, providing Medicaid assistance to states and expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Plan. Wall Street Journal's "Health Blog."
12/09/2008
State fiscal leaders offered grim projections if lawmakers do not move swiftly to close the state budget deficit. The state Senate Republican leadership is targeting "waste, fraud and abuse" in health and social services programs before considering tax increases. San Jose Mercury News et al.