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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 Rx: State May Dive Into Generic Drug Market

California is poised to become the first state to develop its own line of generic drugs, targeting soaring drug prices and stepping into a fiercely competitive drug market dominated by deep-pocketed pharmaceutical companies.

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Long-Fought Nurse Practitioner Independence Bill Heads to Newsom

After years of failed attempts and vociferous opposition, California lawmakers on Monday adopted a measure to grant nurse practitioners the ability to practice without doctor supervision — but only after making big concessions to the powerful doctors’ lobby, which nonetheless remains opposed.

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Aetna Fined After Denying 93% Of ER Claims In California

Insurers have come under scrutiny in the past for policies rejecting claims for visits to the emergency room that they deem unnecessary. The latest to find itself in hot water? Aetna, which has been fined $500,000

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Covered California Opens IFP Special Enrollment for Those Affected by Wildfires, Pandemic, Job Loss

Covered California opened enrollment for those affected by the “triple threat” of fires, the pandemic, and the recession.

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Newsom Nears Pivotal Decision: Should California Try To Reopen Again?

California Gov. Gavin Newsom says California is "turning a corner" on the pandemic weeks after locking down various sectors in a desperate bid to thwart a summer surge.

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Uber Seeks Court Reprieve After California Shutdown Threat

Uber Technologies Inc. joined Lyft Inc. in asking an appeals court for an extended reprieve on converting California drivers to employees after both companies warned that a rapid overhaul of their business models may force them to suspend operations in their home state.

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Newsom Says Trump’s $400-A-Week Unemployment Benefits Plan Isn’t Workable. Here’s What You Need To Know

President Trump’s plan to provide an extra $400 per week in unemployment benefits to replace the $600 per week that expired last month could face legal, administrative and political hurdles, experts outside the administration say.

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Amid COVID Chaos, California Legislators Fight for Major Health Care Bills

California lawmakers are barreling toward an end-of-month deadline to pass or kill bills amid the biggest public health crisis the state has faced in a century.

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Newsom Indicates California Health Officer’s Abrupt Departure Related To Data Blunder

Gov. Gavin Newsom took responsibility Monday for California's coronavirus test data problems and hinted that the abrupt departure late Sunday of his state public health officer was related to the information blunder.

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California Judge Orders Uber And Lyft To Consider All Drivers Employees

A California judge has ordered Uber and Lyft to reclassify their workers from independent contractors to employees with benefits, a ruling that could be consequential for gig economy workers if it survives the appeals process.

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