Health

New Budget Fills In Dental Coverage Gaps for Poor Californians

Pauline Bartolone — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:00:05 +0000

California lawmakers and Governor Jerry Brown reached a budget agreement this week. The Governor had previously said he had no intention of bringing back services slashed in years past, but a small number of areas won restored funding for next year - dental care was one of them. Health care reporter Pauline Bartolone has more from Sacramento about what that led up to the decision to renew services.

For four years, Karen Wadsack has been struggling to get the dental care she says she needs.

California Insurance Commissioner Wants Anthem Out of Group Health Exchange

Pauline Bartolone — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 21:33:58 +0000

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones says Anthem Blue Cross should be left out of the new health insurance marketplace for small businesses next year.

Jones says Anthem’s planned premium rate increase for small employers next month is excessive.

He says the Affordable Care Act requires him to evaluate whether insurers are suitable to participate in the new marketplace.

California Budget Deal Reached on Health Funding for Counties

Pauline Bartolone — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 02:43:31 +0000

The California state budget deal reached this week includes some restored funding for dental care for the poor, and millions of dollars for mental health services. And as Pauline Bartolone in Sacramento reports, county and state officials are finalizing the details of how local governments will use health care money.

After months of negotiations, the Brown administration and county representatives have struck a deal - the state can redirect some money away from county health programs, but the counties will have some choice in how that’s done.

Workplace Wellness Takes Off, Using Money As a Motivator

Pauline Bartolone — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 16:52:04 +0000

The demands of the workplace and home life can make it hard to find time to be physically active. Many employers are incorporating healthy activities into the workplace, often using money as a motivator. But as Pauline Bartolone in Sacramento reports, the trend comes with concerns about who’s paying more for health care.

Susan Southard walks 10 miles a week without taking her eyes off a computer screen.

“The maximum speed is two miles. So I’ll do the maximum,” says Southard.

Budget Battle Over Indigent Care Funds Pits Brown vs Counties

Ben Adler — Thu, 30 May 2013 01:01:47 +0000

One of the biggest unresolved issues in California budget negotiations is what to do with more than $1 billion counties currently spend on health care for the poor. Governor Jerry Brown says counties won’t need that money once the new federal health law kicks in next year. But as Ben Adler reports from Sacramento, the counties disagree.

New Data Show A Decline In Reported Cases of Valley Fever

Rachel Cook and The Reporting On Health Collaborative — Tue, 28 May 2013 16:53:14 +0000

California’s tally of valley fever cases dropped by more than 1,000 last year and some counties have also seen fewer cases in the early months of 2013.

But public health officials say it’s too early to identify long-term trends in the numbers.

Costs, Coverage Will Shift in California's Individual Health Insurance Market

Pauline Bartolone — Tue, 28 May 2013 16:34:25 +0000

California’s new health insurance exchange has announced what plans and prices may look like for millions of people who will be buying individual coverage next year. Health Care Reporter Pauline Bartolone has more about what the changes may mean for people already in the market.

California Releases Details of Health Insurance Exchange

Katie Orr — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:23:47 +0000

Details of California’s new health insurance exchange were announced today. As Katie Orr reports from Sacramento, about five million people are eligible to get covered through the exchange.

California is opening the exchange to comply with federal healthcare reform. Thirteen insurance agencies will offer a variety of plans. While some plans will be available throughout the state, others will be targeted to specific regions.

Medical Procedures Vary By Region, According to New Study

Katie Orr — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:52:49 +0000

Depending on where they practice, doctors in different parts of California are more likely to recommend certain procedures. It’s a phenomenon called “variance.” A study from The California Healthcare Foundation shows it’s a consideration both patients and physicians should be aware of. The Foundation’s Maribeth Shannon says doctors might not realize what they’re doing.

Paso Robles Winemaker Battles Valley Fever

Rebecca Plevin — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:55:03 +0000

The quest for the perfect pinot noir lured Todd and Tammy Schaefer from Malibu to Paso Robles in 2001. But a different fate awaited them and their business, called Pacific Coast Vineyards.

“My wife and I had just come up here, to set up shop and continue our practice of winemaking, and, ‘Welcome to Paso Robles, here’s valley fever,’” Todd recounts.

In October of 2003, Todd was running a bulldozer through a vineyard, and kicking up lots of dust. They had no idea that dust would make him ill.