Thursday, September 15, 2011 — LATEST NEWS | California is seeking approval from the Obama administration for Medi-Cal cuts, as the state works to expand coverage under the federal health reform law. Federal officials are concerned more states could seek cuts if California's are approved. Los Angeles Times. Republicans seeking to repeal the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act -- a long-term care insurance program created by the health reform law -- say the Obama administration ignored repeated warnings about the program's financial instability. AP/Washington Post. A number of California organizations have received more than $4 million in grants to help roll out medical homes based at community clinics. The funds were allocated by the Community Clinics Initiative, which is run by philanthropy groups the California Endowment and Tides. Payers & Providers. A report from the California HealthCare Foundation finds that rates of vaginal births after caesarean sections vary widely across California. The rates were highest in Berkeley and Greenbrae and lowest in El Centro Imperial County. San Francisco Chronicle. The Healthcare Leadership Council has sent the debt panel a plan to curb Medicare spending by $410 billion over 10 years without cutting reimbursements. Under the plan, beneficiaries would use vouchers to buy private health plans from an insurance exchange. National Journal et al. SPECIAL REPORT | | Elaine Batchlor, chief medical officer at L.A. Care Health Plan, spoke with California Healthline about the challenges facing safety-net health programs and the opportunities to address such challenges through innovation. | | | | A bill before the governor would more than cut in half the amount of time it takes for physicians to obtain authorization from insurers for non-formulary prescription drugs. | Read Capitol Desk | FEATURES by George Lauer, California Healthline Features Editor A new report showing hospitals' considerable economic impact in San Francisco reinforces the widely held contention that consistent job growth makes the health care industry a bright spot in an otherwise bleak economic landscape. | | | | MOST POPULAR ARTICLES | FROM THE FOUNDATION Major changes are on the horizon in the way Americans get and pay for health care. A series of videos explains how the system will be remade under health reform and who will gain new coverage. Some California community clinics are seeking to deliver care more efficiently through strategic restructuring, such as mergers or partnerships. This self-assessment workbook and resources guide can help. Hear preliminary findings about the health coverage enrollment experiences of Californians. Through a range of interviews and focus groups, researchers chronicled the perspectives of a cross-section of low-income Californians applying for insurance. | |
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