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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.

A High-Stakes Game of Chicken on Drug Prices

California’s state government spends about $4 billion a year on prescription drugs – for low-income people in the Medi-Cal program, as well as state employees, retirees and prison inmates.

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California Employers with Qualified Plans Not Subject to New Secure Choice Program

On September 29, 2016, California Governor Brown approved significant amendments to the 2012 California Secure Choice Retirement Savings Trust Act ("Secure Choice").

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California Releases Latest ‘Report Cards” On Health Plans, Doctor Groups

California’s Office of the Patient Advocate Friday released its annual report cards on health plans and medical groups — tools meant to help guide consumers and employers as they shop for coverage during the upcoming open enrollment season.

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California Won’t Extend Parental Leave Rights To Small Businesses

Aiming to attract and keep top-notch talent, a growing number of companies are dangling family-friendly perks such as lengthy paid leave for new moms and dads, back-up child care and onsite infant vaccines.

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Humana Sees Potential Fallout From Lower Medicare Star-Rating Report

Humana Inc. on Wednesday indicated that a downgrade in a key Medicare quality measure could lower its federal reimbursements, but the insurer said the poor grade wasn’t a fair indication of how its business is faring.

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Renewals For Covered California May Save Enrollees Money

It's renewal time for participants in California's health insurance exchange, which may mean cost savings for some consumers -- but finding those savings can be complicated.

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How Narrow Is It? Gov’t Begins Test Of Comparison Tool For Health Plan Networks

The incredible shrinking provider network is nothing new in marketplace plans.

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Why High Earners Are Likely to See Higher Medicare Premiums in 2017

Low inflation, generally good for purchasing power, is likely to leave some high earners facing higher Medicare premiums next year.

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Medicare Unveils Far-Reaching Overhaul of Doctors’ Pay

Changing the way it does business, Medicare on Friday unveiled a far-reaching overhaul of how it pays doctors and other clinicians.

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Mailings, Social Media Ads Woo Uninsured for Health Sign-up

The Obama administration says it'll send more than 10 million mailings to woo the uninsured for the final health care law sign-up season of President Barack Obama's tenure.

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