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California Watch

News stories in this section spotlight activities in California, including actions by the state Assembly and state Senate; proposed legislation; regulators like the Department of Managed Health Care and Department of Insurance; and the state ACA exchange, Covered California.

California Lawmakers Vote to Offer Health Insurance to Undocumented Immigrants

The California State Assembly voted overwhelmingly this week to pass legislation that would allow adult undocumented immigrants to receive health insurance benefits.

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Health Tax Splits California Amid Need for Trump’s Approval

California lawmakers are headed toward a confrontation with Gov. Gavin Newsom over whether to keep a tax that can generate nearly $2 billion for low-income health benefits but means approval from the Trump administration amid a feud between state and federal officials.

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California Assembly Passes Bill to Restrict Dialysis Profits

The California Assembly voted 46-15 to pass A.B. 290, a measure that would limit dialysis provider and rehabilitation center profits operating in the state when insurance premiums are covered by third-party payers.

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California Names Former Google Scientist as the State’s ‘Mental Health Czar’

Noted psychiatrist and former Verily leader Dr. Tom Insel is going to be the “mental health czar” for the state of California, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Tuesday.

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GOP, Democrats Team Up to Address Surprise Medical Bills

Plunging ahead despite paralyzing partisanship in the nation's capital, senior lawmakers of both parties Thursday proposed legislation to tackle surprise medical bills and other concerns, from prescription drug costs to uneven vaccination rates.

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Blue Shield of California Targets Patients with Complex Needs in House Call Program

Blue Shield of California has teamed up with Landmark Health to offer more house calls to members with chronic conditions—at no additional cost. 

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California Eyes Health Care for Immigrants in US Illegally

Lilian Serrano’s mother-in-law had lots of stomach problems, but she always blamed food.

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CHOICE Administrators Announces New CEO

CHOICE Administrators today announced a new leader for its organization, which operates the California Choice private health insurance exchange and the Choice Builder ancillary benefits exchange, which together serve more than 450,000 members.

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Newsom’s Tough Sell on Healthcare: Persuading Public on Fines for Those Without Coverage

Five months after unveiling a sweeping plan to lower health insurance costs for middle-class Californians, Gov. Gavin Newsom now must sell the politically unpopular part of his proposal — hefty fines on those who do not have medical coverage.

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CalPERS Projecting Steep Health Insurance Increases. One Plan Could Rise 24 Percent

The premiums state workers and retired public employees pay for CalPERS health insurance are projected to go up 7.2 percent on average next year, with premiums for specific plans increasing as much as 24 percent, according to preliminary estimates published Tuesday.

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