Proposition 35, aimed at creating a dedicated stream of funding to provide health care for California’s low-income residents, would put funding for many programs at risk because the ballot measure would supersede the budget, opponents say.
Bernard J. Wolfson / KFF Health News
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California leaders tussle with health industry over billions of new dollars for Medi-Cal
With a deadline next Thursday to withdraw an initiative that would put new funding for California’s health insurance for low-income residents on the November ballot, it’s crunch time in negotiations among Gov. Gavin Newsom, state lawmakers and health industry leaders.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Battle lines are drawn over California deal with Kaiser Permanente
A controversial proposal to grant HMO giant Kaiser Permanente a no-bid statewide Medicaid contract is headed for its first legislative hearing amid vocal opposition from a coalition of counties, competing health plans, community clinics, and a national health care labor union.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
California inks sweetheart deal with Kaiser Permanente, jeopardizing Medicaid reforms
The backroom deal with politically connected Kaiser Permanente, which infuriated other Medi-Cal health plans, allows the health care giant to continue selecting the enrollees it wants.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
What the federal ‘No Surprises Act’ means in California
The new federal law will provide protection against surprise medical bills for between 6 million and 7 million Californians who are not covered under state law.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
New California law eases aid-in-dying process
Nearly 2,000 terminally ill Californians have used a 2015 law to end their lives with a doctor’s assistance. A revision of the law will make it easier to do so.
Posted inVaccine Watch
Head-scratching over Newsom’s choice of Blue Shield to lead vaccination push
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s surprising choice of Blue Shield to lead the state’s covid vaccination effort raised questions about the role politics played in the decision — and whether the insurer is up to the task.
Posted inCOVID Today
‘Need a lot of both’: Will California’s vaccine ramp-up squeeze out COVID-19 testing?
California’s ability to multitask is being tested as health officials scramble to find staff for vaccination sites while maintaining testing and contact tracing.