California Watch Category Banner

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.

Security Flaws Found in 3 State Health Insurance Websites

Federal investigators found significant cybersecurity weaknesses in the health insurance websites of California, Kentucky and Vermont that could enable hackers to get their hands on sensitive personal information about hundreds of thousands of people, The Associated Press has learned. And some of those flaws have yet to be fixed.

Read More

Covered California Imposes New Quality, Cost Conditions On Plans

Moving into a realm usually reserved for health care regulators, Covered California Thursday unveiled sweeping reforms to its contracts with insurers, seeking to improve the quality of care, curb its cost and increase transparency for consumers.

Read More

Denti-Cal Is Blasted By Oversight Commission

The State of California’s dental health system for the poor is “dysfunctional” according to ascathing report issued Friday by a bipartisan oversight commission.

Read More

Medi-Cal Expands To Immigrant Children. Here’s How It Works

In a few months, California will begin providing full Medi-Cal coverage to all low-income children — regardless of their immigration status.

Read More

Despite Paying, Some Californians Are Asking Where’s My Health Insurance

It wasn’t until a doctor ordered medical tests for Adriana Vitale that she discovered her Covered California coverage had disappeared. “I was shocked. I was crying. I was depressed,” said Vitale, 61, of Downey.

Read More

Officials Emphasize Drug Treatment, Mental Health in Medicaid Push

In its latest effort to get more states to states to expand their Medicaid programs, health officials are emphasizing its role in paying for treatment of opioid abuse and mental health issues.

Read More

Centene Completes Health Net Deal After Protracted Review

It took almost two months longer than expected, but Medicaid insurer Centene Corp. finally closed on its Health Net deal after winning approval from skeptical California regulators. The value of the deal, including debt, has been revised to $6 billion.

Read More

Big Pharma Dumps Big Money Into Fight Against Prescription Drug Measure

Pharmaceutical companies continue to pour cash into their campaign to defeat a California ballot measure that would limit prescription drug prices, a new campaign finance analysis shows.

Read More

Battle Heating Up Over ‘Surprise” Medical Bills

Have you ever gone in for a medical procedure you knew was covered by your health plan, only to be hit weeks later by a large, unexpected bill from a doctor whose name you didn’t even recognize?

Read More

California Regulator Approves Centene-Health Net Deal

California health plan regulators are approving Centene's bid to purchase fellow insurer Health Net.

Read More
arrowcaret-downclosefacebook-squarehamburgerinstagram-squarelinkedin-squarepauseplaytwitter-squareyoutube-square