FROM THE FOUNDATION

Mapping Chronic Disease in California

The California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) provides data that identifies those areas of California bearing the heaviest burden in terms of chronic disease. The latest survey added new conditions and a map feature.

Paper to Electronic Charts Made Easy

Community clinics with experience making the transition from paper to electronic records share the strategies, techniques, and insights they learned along the way.

Among Hospitals, A Special Critical List

People in rural and remote areas throughout California depend on critical access hospitals. This paper tracks the changing landscape and financial health of these small but important institutions.

Health Care Costs

  • News
  • Features
  • Multimedia

03/19/2010

Poll: More Californians Back Obama on Health Reform

Forty-five percent of Californians approve of how President Obama is handling the issue of health care, up from 39% in January, according to the latest Field Poll. Californians are not as positive about Congress' performance on health care, with 80% saying they disapprove of lawmakers' actions on the issue. Sacramento Bee.

03/19/2010

Group Wants Documents From Anthem Investigation

On Thursday, Consumer Watchdog asked California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner to release documents he has gathered in his investigation of Anthem Blue Cross' proposed premium increases. The group also wants Poizner to hold a minimum of four public hearings across the state on the matter. Los Angeles Times.

03/17/2010

Santa Monica Physicians Draw Attention for New Fees

Beginning April 1, the Pacific Heart Institute physician group will charge some patients fees ranging from $500 to $7,500 to help offset recent cuts to Medicare reimbursements and help support e-mail communication with doctors and other services. The American College of Cardiology is suing to block some of the Medicare cuts. Kaiser Health News.

03/17/2010

Small Businesses See Promise in 'Three-Share' Health Insurance Model

Under a "three-share" health insurance model, a monthly premium is divided equally among an employer, a worker and the community. At least five states are using federal grant funds to launch or expand three-share programs for employees of small businesses. Kaiser Health News.

03/17/2010

Kelso Seeks Bills To Curb Prison Health Spending, Allow for Medical Parole

Federal receiver J. Clark Kelso has asked California lawmakers to pass four bills that could reduce prison health care spending by about $350 million. The bills include proposals to restrict prescription drug use in prisons and grant medical parole to certain inmates. AP/Ventura County Star.

03/17/2010

Massachusetts Officials Eye Care Provider Payment Caps

Massachusetts lawmakers on Tuesday indicated that they are likely to cap payments to hospitals and doctors as part of an effort to keep rising health spending in check. Gov. Deval Patrick (D) recently filed a measure that would permit state officials to reject rates set by care providers and insurers, while lawmakers and administration officials also have unveiled similar health care cost-control plans. Boston Globe.

03/16/2010

Study: Nearly 25% of California Residents Lack Health Coverage

A new study from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research finds that more than eight million Californians lacked health insurance coverage for all or part of 2009, up from 6.4 million in 2007. Researchers attributed the dramatic increase to the recession and the state's higher unemployment rate, which climbed from 5.7% in 2007 to 12.3% by the end of 2009. Los Angeles Times.

03/15/2010

WellPoint Exec: Medical Costs Driving Increase in Premiums

Brian Sassi -- president of the consumer business unit of WellPoint, Anthem Blue Cross' parent company -- argues that rising medical costs, rather than insurers' profit, are driving up health insurance premiums and that lawmakers should tackle medical costs to effectively overhaul the U.S. health care system. Sacramento Bee.

03/15/2010

Calif. Supreme Court To Review Personal Injury Insurance Settlements

The high court has agreed to review a case that could determine how much injured residents can receive in treatment compensation from the parties responsible for an injury. Currently, such residents can recoup only the amount their insurers pay for care. San Francisco Chronicle.

03/12/2010

Editorial: Reform Bill Moves To Cut U.S. Health Spending

While health reform legislation "could be improved with an even more vigorous approach to controlling costs," it does contain numerous efforts to "put the health care system on the right path," a Los Angeles Times editorial asserts. The editorial commends President Obama and lawmakers for including such cost-containing initiatives as health insurance exchanges, wellness incentives, demonstration projects and an independent panel that could issue spending recommendations. Los Angeles Times.

03/12/2010

Rising Costs Prompt Mass. To Examine Insurance Penalty

The Massachusetts Health Insurance Connector Authority board will be re-examining the formula it uses to determine health insurance affordability and who is subject to a penalty for not having health coverage. Some board members have said that insurance costs have risen much faster than income, putting health coverage out of reach for many people. Boston Globe.

03/12/2010

Survey: Employers To Shift Health Costs to Workers

A new survey from the National Business Group on Health finds that many large employers are planning to transfer a portion of their health care costs to workers next year. Some employers said they intend to raise employee contributions, tighten health plan eligibility or create incentive programs. Washington Post.

03/12/2010

Budget Strain Fueling Cuts to Shasta County Public Health Programs

Last year, Shasta County public health programs saw funding levels decline by $1.2 million. The financial pressures have compelled the county to eliminate immunization clinics, pediatric dental care programs and other preventive health services.  Redding Record Searchlight.

03/12/2010

CBO Updates Price Tag of Senate Health Care Reform Bill to $875B

Yesterday, the Congressional Budget Office released a new cost and deficit analysis for the current version of the Senate health reform bill. The report estimates that the bill would cost $875 billion over 10 years and reduce the federal deficit by $118 billion. AP/Washington Post.

03/12/2010

Court Sides Against Cuts to Sacramento County's Retiree Health Subsidies

Yesterday, the Third District Court of Appeal upheld a labor board decision that barred Sacramento County from eliminating health insurance subsidies for retired county workers. The ruling could leave the county on the hook for as much as $450,000 in back payments. Sacramento Bee.

Click to register for California Healthline