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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.

New Rules To Limit Narrow Networks

New regulations requiring California health care insurers to follow stricter guidelines for provider network adequacy, out-of-network notifications and accuracy of provider lists when dealing with the state Department of Insurance went into effect on Monday.

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Medicare Offers Relief to 400,000 Caught In Aetna Pharmacy Network Mix-Ups

More than 400,000 Medicare beneficiaries who may have been confused or misinformed about the pharmacy details of their 2015 Aetna prescription drug plans have until the end of this month to find participating pharmacies or switch plans, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

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Obamacare Enrollment in California: Anthem Leads, Kaiser Draws Closer

Insurance giant Anthem Blue Cross leads Obamacare enrollment in California, but Kaiser Permanente is gaining on its archrival.

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Most Who Enrolled Through Covered California Last Year Stayed With Health Carriers

Of the more than 1 million people who signed up for health care plans through Covered California last year, 92 percent were eligible for enrollment and most of them stayed with their insurance carrier, according to preliminary figures released Wednesday.

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With Half of California’s Kids on Medicaid, Advocates Worry About Service

California's Medi-Cal program has grown to cover nearly half of the state's children, causing policymakers and child advocates to question the ability of the taxpayer-funded program to adequately serve so many poor kids.

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Sutter Health, Blue Shield Contract Conflict Ends

At least 280,000 Sutter Health patients could stop worrying Friday that they'd have to find a new health care provider partway through this year.

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California Pharmacists Report Progress in Move to Broaden Scope of Practice

Pharmacists are about to finish one phase and start another in the march toward broadening their scope of practice in California to include more primary care services.

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California Takes Different Path On Insuring Immigrants Living in U.S. Illegally

Angel Torres hasn't been to the doctor since coming to the United States illegally more than two decades ago. But now, his vision is getting blurry and he frequently feels tired.

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800,000 Households Got Health Care Subsides in California

Some 800,000 California households received $3.2 billion in federal health care subsidies last year, officials said Monday.

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California Health Agencies Saw Significant Payroll Increase in 2014

Following three years of flat payroll costs for the state, California state workers' total annual incomes increased $1.1 billion in 2014, with some of the largest increases occurring among health-related agencies, according to new state payroll data, the Sacramento Bee reports.

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