health care reform

California Considers Expanded Roles for Nurses in Primary Care

Pauline Bartolone — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:54:00 +0000

Most counties in California have a shortage of primary care doctors. And with millions more people in the state expected to get health coverage next year, lawmakers are proposing ways to make sure basic care is available in areas that need it. One bill would allow nurse practitioners to treat patients without consulting a physician. Health care reporter Pauline Bartolone reports on what it might mean for patients.

Some nurse practitioners in California already see patients without a doctor in the room. Patients like Anastacia Casperson.

California Builds Clinics Under Federal Health Law, But Hiring Doctors May Be A Challenge

Pauline Bartolone — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:53:18 +0000

Starting next year, millions of people will gain new health coverage under the federal health law. In California, dozens of clinics are gearing up for the expansion, with new funding to build clinics and expand old ones. But as Pauline Bartolone reports from Sacramento, it may be a challenge to find the physicians to staff the new centers.

Doctors, Lawmakers Propose Ways to Increase Number of Doctors

Pauline Bartolone — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 01:17:31 +0000

California physicians and lawmakers are trying to draw attention to a shortage of doctors in the state. They made the point jointly in Sacramento Tuesday. As Pauline Bartolone reports from Sacramento, they agree more doctors will be needed to see millions of people who will start enrolling in coverage next year.

Bill Would Exclude Hospital-based Nursing Facilities From Budget Cuts

Amy Quinton — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 01:04:23 +0000

Hospital-based skilled nursing care facilities say more Medi-Cal cuts will devastate patients and families. As Amy Quinton reports from Sacramento, lawmakers from both parties support a bill that would exclude those facilities from budget cuts.

California Lawmaker Seeks to Expand the Roles of Non-Physicians

Pauline Bartolone — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:54:50 +0000

A California lawmaker proposes to allow some healthcare workers to expand their range of services in order to meet the new demand for health care under the Affordable Care Act. Pauline Bartolone has more from Sacramento.

Lawmakers Move Step Closer to Expanding Medi-Cal

Amy Quinton — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 01:46:57 +0000

Legislation that would expand health care coverage to an estimated one million low-income Californians has moved a step closer to passing. As Amy Quinton reports from Sacramento, the bills would implement part of the federal health care law.

California Lawmakers Discuss How Geography Will Help Shape Health Premiums

Pauline Bartolone — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 20:22:13 +0000

California lawmakers are deciding how geography can affect health insurance premiums in the individual marketplace.

Lawmakers got one step closer to ironing out new rules that would guarantee insurance to individuals regardless of their prior health history. But, they still need to decide how companies will factor in where someone lives into premium rates.

Legislative Analyst Recommends State-Based Medi-Cal Expansion

Pauline Bartolone — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 01:50:13 +0000

A non-partisan legislative report suggests expanding California’s Medicaid program under the federal health law would make good sense in terms of finance and policy.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office says the state should move ahead with the Medi-Cal expansion that Governor Jerry Brown recently laid out in his budget.

California Leaders Still Need Agreement on Links to Federal Health Law

Pauline Bartolone — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 21:04:15 +0000

State lawmakers will be looking at changes to insurance market rules under the Affordable Care Act this week.

As health care reporter Pauline Bartolone reports from Sacramento, lawmakers and the administration still need to reach agreement about the link between state and federal law.

Health Care Exchange Announces Benefit Plan Choices

Amy Quinton — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:16:49 +0000

Low-income Californians without health insurance or who aren’t eligible for Medi-Cal can now see which benefits they can expect under the federal health care overhaul- and how much their coverage will cost.

Californians eligible for federal subsidies can determine out-of-pocket costs for medications and doctor and hospital visits, as well as maximum annual costs.