FROM THE FOUNDATION

All Over the Map

Newly updated to include breast cancer, prostate cancer, and spine procedures, this CHCF-sponsored research shows that practice patterns vary dramatically from place to place.

Medi-Cal Transforms

Medi-Cal is the main source of health insurance for one in five Californians. An updated report gives an overview of the program's key features, describes how the program is evolving, and examines the challenges ahead.

Obama Care in the Second Term

CHCF is a long-time sponsor of the UC Irvine Forecast Conference. A webcast of this year's conference on health policy in President Obama's second term is now available.

Health IT

  • News
  • Features
  • Multimedia

04/15/2013

Telehealth Project Brings 'Virtual Dental Home' to Patients

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

11/29/2012

Neurological Institute Expands Telehealth Network

Rural hospital officials in the Central Valley said patients are benefiting from stroke specialists in Sacramento diagnosing and recommending treatment through a maturing, growing telehealth network. by Alice Daniel, California Healthline Regional Correspondent

11/19/2012

Smartphones Might Aid Health Effort in Rural California

The emerging use of cell phones and smartphones in medicine has been passing by rural communities, but that may be changing as mobile signals reach more remote areas of California. New technologies and new signals to broaden their reach could fill a burgeoning need. by David Gorn, California Healthline Sacramento Bureau

10/18/2012

Can UC-Davis Change Pace of Health Information Exchange in California?

Reliable, widespread health information exchange has been elusive in California despite earnest attempts over the past eight years. Now the Institute for Population Health Improvement at UC-Davis is stepping up to the plate as the new cooperative agreement partner charged with bringing HIE to fruition. by Mari Edlin, California Healthline Regional Correspondent

10/15/2012

Health 2.0: Searching for Meaning in Health Data

At the 6th annual Health 2.0 Conference, speakers stressed the importance of making health care data meaningful, accessible and actionable, while adhering to regulatory requirements, supporting evidence-based medicine and satisfying providers, patients and payers. by Rebecca Vesely, California Healthline Contributing Reporter

07/26/2012

Direct Messaging Called Major Advance in State's HIE Effort

The health information technology community got a chance to see direct messaging -- a new way to move information between providers who use different electronic health record systems -- in action last week at a two-day conference. by David Gorn, California Healthline Sacramento Bureau

07/05/2012

Targeting Technology To Treat Senior Population

A new organization -- AgeTech California -- hopes to help California care for its growing senior population by making greater and better use of technology like home telehealth systems and remote medication management. by David Gorn, California Healthline Sacramento Bureau

06/18/2012

California Offers HIPAA Security Rule Toolkit

California's Office of Health Information Integrity is offering a no-cost, online toolkit to help California health care providers navigate the federal rules governing the security of patient information in electronic health records. by George Lauer, California Healthline Features Editor

05/29/2012

After 2 Years of Cal eConnect, What's Next for HIE in California?

At Cal eConnect, one CEO left, another bailed on the job before he started, and now the board of directors dissolved its grant agreement with the state. If it goes right, the latter move may be the best thing that could happen to California's primary health information exchange facilitator. by David Gorn, California Healthline Sacramento Bureau

04/19/2012

Federal Health IT Activity Continues in First Quarter of 2012

Federal health IT efforts continued in the first quarter of 2012, with the release of proposed rules for Stage 2 of the meaningful use incentive program and the appointment of Todd Park as the country's new chief technology officer. by Helen Pfister, Susan Ingargiola and Rachel Sam

04/12/2012

New Leader, New Plan, New EHR Initiative for Cal eConnect

The success of California's health information exchange depends in part on the coordination and guidance of Cal eConnect and its energetic new CEO, Laura Landry. She said California is "on the verge of a breakthrough" in health information exchange. by David Gorn, California Healthline Sacramento Bureau

03/01/2012

HITEC-LA Bridges Gap Between Physicians, Technology

The health information technology wave is coming, but not every health care provider is eager to ride it, despite abundant financial incentives. HITEC-LA, a regional extension center in Los Angeles, is nearing the end of its federal grant work but intends to continue coaxing providers onto the wave. by Stephanie Stephens, California Healthline Regional Correspondent

02/02/2012

UC-Merced Students Tap Telehealth Tools To Treat Diabetes

Business students at UC-Merced are embarking on a telehealth initiative to monitor patients with gestational diabetes in the Central Valley. The project aims to target women without adequate access to medical care. by Alice Daniel, California Healthline Regional Correspondent

12/19/2011

How Can California Make Most of Telehealth Law?

With a new law in the books this fall -- the California Telehealth Advancement Act -- California is poised to move audio-visual technology into the medical mainstream. We asked experts what California policymakers and health care providers can do to make the transition proceed smoothly and effectively.

12/15/2011

'Freeing' Data May Be Tricky in California

The "Free the Data" movement, a national effort to encourage innovation in health care, has sparked a similar campaign to make California health data more easily available. But state laws and regulations may require some extra effort in the Golden State, experts say. by David Gorn, California Healthline Sacramento Bureau

Click to register for California Healthline