03/28/2012
Candidate Obama opposed health reform's individual mandate; President Obama signed the mandate into law. Why did the president shift his thinking -- and will the decision haunt his signature legislation? by Dan Diamond, California Healthline Contributing Editor
03/21/2012
The fate of the Affordable Care Act rests in the hands of the Supreme Court justices, who next week will hear oral arguments over three days. How the court might rule is a hot topic -- and several historic court decisions provide some hints as to which way the case will go. by Anthony Wilson and Santosh Rao, California Healthline Contributing Editors
03/14/2012
At the two year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, California has made significant progress in establishing an insurance exchange and undertaking other provisions of the law. However, the road ahead is marked by uncertainty, and California must meet more challenges before the job is done. by Matthew Wayt, California Healthline Associate Editor
03/07/2012
Hospitals increasingly are employing physicians, while independent doctors are teaming up to jointly contract with health insurers -- driven in large part by the Affordable Care Act. Both trends have led to larger provider networks, though the effect on health care costs is not yet clear. by Sarah O'Hara, California Healthline Contributor
02/29/2012
With the launch of the Pioneer Accountable Care Organization Model in January, health care provider organizations have been working to build their patient bases. Early signs point to a heated competition among Pioneer ACOs to attract a diverse population now in order to reap financial benefits in later years. by Rivka Friedman, California Healthline Contributor
02/22/2012
In a report released earlier this month -- "One Year of Innovation: Taking Action to Improve Care and Reduce Costs" -- the CMS Innovation Center summarizes what it's been up to in its first year of existence: 16 initiatives involving more than 50,000 health care providers in all 50 states. by George Lauer, California Healthline Features Editor
02/15/2012
Health insurance exchanges for small businesses are set to go online in 2014, alongside state-based exchanges for the individual market. Recent research shows that the success of the so-called Small-Business Health Options Program will be based on whether it can offer more plan choices and contain costs. by David Gorn, California Healthline Sacramento Bureau
02/08/2012
Stakeholders are responding to HHS' recent bulletin giving states a large hand in determining "essential health benefits" to be offered through insurance exchanges in 2014. In California, officials are trying to determine how to handle a growing list of state-mandated benefits within the exchanges. by David Gorn, California Healthline Sacramento Bureau
02/01/2012
National medical malpractice reform has been stalled for years, and a newly released White House memo helps underscore why federal efforts have been a non-starter. by Dan Diamond, California Healthline Contributing Editor
01/25/2012
President Obama scarcely mentioned health care in last night's speech -- and perhaps that's more of a metaphor than the president intended. In keeping with the Obama administration's efforts to cut through "red tape," efforts are growing to rein in federal health care regulations. by Dan Diamond, California Healthline Contributing Editor
01/18/2012
New Kaiser Family Foundation data illustrate the rise in Medicaid enrollment and lawmakers' continuing struggle to control costs. Budget battles in Washington state, not Washington, D.C., may show the future of the program: stark efforts to slow utilization. by Dan Diamond, California Healthline Contributing Editor
01/11/2012
The Republicans have promised a replacement for the health reform law. The Democrats had planned a payment advisory panel. Both parties want a "doc fix." Will this be the year lawmakers stick to their promises? by Dan Diamond, California Healthline Contributing Editor
01/04/2012
Is California driving the next health care earthquake? A striking batch of insurers and physician groups are teaming up -- and shaking up the industry -- with the Golden State at the epicenter. by Dan Diamond, California Healthline Contributing Editor
12/21/2011
Mark your calendars: A slew of ACA-related payment reforms, health IT changes and health insurance exchange updates will debut next year -- even as constitutional questions over the law come to an end. (Maybe.) by Dan Diamond, California Healthline Contributing Editor
12/14/2011
Berwick's out. Overruling the FDA is in. A flurry of recent headlines recall another moment when politics and health policy collided and set the nation on a new course. by Dan Diamond, California Healthline Contributing Editor