Spending on prescription drugs for insured Americans rose about 5 percent last year, driven by both greater medication use and higher prices, mainly for very expensive drugs termed specialty medicines.

Rejecting critics and community concern, voting members of Seattle’s Group Health Cooperative have overwhelmingly agreed to join with the California health-care giant Kaiser Permanente.

Cathy Kerns expected to spend her retirement savings as her friends do: on cruises or other “golden years” indulgences.

The state of California is adding cost information to a report card that rates the quality and patient experience scores for major medical groups practicing in the state.

On Monday, Assemblyman Anthony Rendon, D-Paramount, officially became the powerful speaker of the California Assembly. On Thursday, he announced how that power will be distributed.

Health insurance isn’t simple. Neither are government regulations. Put the two together and things can get confusing fast.