05/20/2013
Health care was a focal point when leaders of Latino community organizations met in Sacramento last week to launch the "California Latino Agenda," a statewide campaign to unite leadership, establish goals and lobby for policy positions. by George Lauer, California Healthline Features Editor
05/16/2013
A new bill that would increase the number of medical residencies in California could help alleviate a doctor shortage in the Inland Empire, the most underserved region in the state, according to health care experts. The region has about half the number of primary care physicians it needs, according to a California HealthCare Foundation report. by Lauren McSherry, California Healthline Regional Correspondent
05/13/2013
A new bill proposing to raise the state tax on tobacco by $2 per pack of cigarettes cleared its first two committees in the California Legislature last week. The tax would push the price of cigarettes beyond $8 a pack and move California from 33rd in the country to fourth in tobacco taxation. by George Lauer, California Healthline Features Editor
05/09/2013
With no detailed plan in place three months after the governor and Legislature agreed to expand Medi-Cal, health care advocates are proposing a compromise deal for dividing $1.4 billion a year in expected savings. The governor's revised budget -- due next week -- might bring the issue to a head. by David Gorn, California Healthline Sacramento Bureau
05/06/2013
A new bill proposing a statewide tax on sugary beverages appears to be gaining momentum in the California Legislature. A similar bill stalled three years ago, but with public support growing and a supermajority of Democrats in both houses, supporters predict a different outcome this time. by George Lauer, California Healthline Features Editor
05/02/2013
Pediatric subspecialists in Los Angeles County say health care reform presents a perfect opportunity to rethink and improve the way the health system cares for children with complex, chronic and rare health conditions. by Stephanie Stephens, California Healthline Regional Correspondent
04/25/2013
The volume is increasing in a chorus of concern about the transition of Healthy Families children to Medi-Cal managed care. Parents, advocates and state officials are worried about losing access to autism treatment, lower reimbursement for dental services and unusually low numbers of kids getting mental health care. by David Gorn, California Healthline Sacramento Bureau
04/22/2013
Supporters of school-based health centers are lobbying Congress to approve $50 million for such facilities. At the same time, California proponents, who expect the state to get about $8 million if the money is approved, are working on funding possibilities in Sacramento. by George Lauer, California Healthline Features Editor
04/18/2013
Health care providers are expanding their reach in San Diego's wealthier northern communities as declining reimbursements and changes to the delivery system under the Affordable Care Act alter the economic environment for health care. by Lisa Zamosky, California Healthline Regional Correspondent
04/15/2013
A "virtual dental home" project from the University of the Pacific's school of dentistry is using telehealth technology to bring dental services to nearly 800 low-income and special needs children in San Mateo County. by George Lauer, California Healthline Features Editor
04/11/2013
Medi-Cal providers are anxiously waiting to see if federal courts uphold a 10% reimbursement cut. Some skilled nursing facilities face even deeper cuts that might be enough to put some rural hospitals out of business. by David Gorn, California Healthline Sacramento Bureau
04/08/2013
Heath care organizations in Northern California are in step with a recent report from the Berkeley Forum suggesting that improvements in palliative care could help California save $110 billion over the next decade. by Mari Edlin, California Healthline Regional Correspondent
04/01/2013
Experts predict changes in contracting practices might shrink the number of businesses supplying medical products and services in California by as much as 50% over the next few years. by George Lauer, California Healthline Features Editor
03/28/2013
California's health care system is undergoing its biggest changes in almost 50 years. Toby Douglas, director of the agency at the eye of the health care storm, updated legislators on the progress of some of the changes in a hearing last week in Sacramento. by David Gorn, California Healthline Sacramento Bureau
03/25/2013
The California State Rural Health Association laid off staffers and closed its Sacramento office, leaving a void after serving as the statewide voice in rural health policy for almost two decades. by George Lauer, California Healthline Features Editor