California Opens Medicaid to Older Unauthorized Immigrants
By Bernard J. Wolfson
Photos by Heidi de Marco
May 2, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Starting May 1, low-income unauthorized immigrants over age 49 became eligible for full Medicaid health coverage, a significant milestone in California’s effort to expand coverage.
J&J-Vaxxed, mRNA-Boosted, and Pondering a Third Shot
By Bernard J. Wolfson
March 1, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Many of the nearly 17 million U.S. members of J&J Nation, myself included, are wondering whether to set aside the current official guidance and get a second booster. Some experts say: Chill out.
California’s Resolve Questioned After It Grants Medi-Cal Contract Concessions
By Bernard J. Wolfson Samantha Young
January 27, 2023
KFF Health News Original
After the Department of Health Care Services canceled Medi-Cal contract awards under pressure from major insurers, some consumer advocates question the administration’s willpower to improve care in the safety-net program.
Fallas informáticas y errores humanos en la cobertura de seguros siguen siendo un dolor de cabeza para los californianos
By Bernard J. Wolfson
June 2, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Es cierto que pequeños cambios en los ingresos pueden hacer que la elegibilidad cambie, pero si se ingresa información incorrecta en un sistema informático compartido por Covered California y Medi-Cal, o se elimina información precisa, eso les puede causar grandes dolores de cabeza a los afiliados.
New Covered California Leader Urges Renewal of Enhanced Federal Aid for Health Premiums
By Bernard J. Wolfson
May 18, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Jessica Altman took over in March as executive director of California’s health insurance marketplace, which serves 1.8 million people. She warns that if Congress does not renew the tax credit enhancements that have made health plans more affordable, consumers will face significantly higher premiums, which could cause many to forgo coverage.
Vacunados con J&J, reforzados con ARNm, y pensando en la tercera dosis
By Bernard J. Wolfson
March 1, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Cerca de 17 millones de personas que recibieron la vacuna de Johnson & Johnson contra covid se preguntan cuántas dosis necesitan.
Giant Health System Almost Saved a Community Hospital. Now, It Wants to ‘Extract Every Dollar.’
By Bernard J. Wolfson Melissa Montalvo, The Fresno Bee
July 21, 2023
KFF Health News Original
A bankruptcy judge will soon decide whether a Central Valley hospital needs to liquidate to repay its creditors. Its largest creditor, St. Agnes Medical Center, is the very entity that backed out of purchasing the Madera Community Hospital last December.
Un sistema de salud gigante casi salvó a un hospital de Madera. Ahora quiere “sacarle cada dólar”
By Bernard J. Wolfson Melissa Montalvo, The Fresno Bee
July 21, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Problemas como el de Madera son comunes en otros hospitales pequeños con situaciones financieras precarias en California, y en todo el país.
Battle Lines Are Drawn Over California Deal With Kaiser Permanente
By Bernard J. Wolfson
April 18, 2022
KFF Health News Original
A controversial proposal to grant HMO giant Kaiser Permanente a no-bid statewide Medicaid contract is headed for its first legislative hearing amid vocal opposition from a coalition of counties, competing health plans, community clinics, and a national health care labor union.
What the Federal ‘No Surprises Act’ Means in California
By Bernard J. Wolfson
January 26, 2022
KFF Health News Original
The new federal law will provide protection against surprise medical bills for between 6 million and 7 million Californians who are not covered under state law.
Covered California’s Insurance Deals Range From ‘No-Brainer’ to Sticker Shock
By Bernard J. Wolfson
December 21, 2021
KFF Health News Original
Families of four with incomes of less than about $40,000 a year can pay no premiums and have low deductibles. For some others, health insurance in 2022 will cost more than in 2021 — in some cases, significantly more.
Multas récord podrían significar que California finalmente se toma en serio la mejora de Medi-Cal
By Bernard J. Wolfson
April 4, 2022
KFF Health News Original
El estado impuso una multa de $55 millones a L.A. Care por múltiples violaciones en sus procesos de asistencia médica.
Cuando los adolescentes no hacen caso al ruego de sus padres para que se vacunen, las consecuencias pueden ser mortales
By Bernard J. Wolfson
March 4, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Poco más del 57% de los adolescentes de 12 a 17 años y el 62% de los jóvenes de 18 a 24 años están completamente vacunados. Para estas franjas de edad covid también puede ser mortal.
When Teens Blow Off Parents’ Pleas to Get Vaccinated, the Consequences Can Be Deadly
By Bernard J. Wolfson
March 4, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Kennedy Stonum, a 17-year-old high school junior, resisted getting vaccinated against covid-19, as did 20-year-old Tyler Gilreath, whose mother had nagged him for months to get the shots. Both died.
New California Law Eases Aid-in-Dying Process
By Bernard J. Wolfson
December 3, 2021
KFF Health News Original
Nearly 2,000 terminally ill Californians have used a 2015 law to end their lives with a doctor’s assistance. A revision of the law will make it easier to do so.
Timely Mental Health Care Is a Key Factor in Strike by Kaiser Permanente Workers
By Bernard J. Wolfson Zinnia Finn
August 24, 2022
KFF Health News Original
A new California law requires timely follow-up appointments for mental health and addiction patients. But striking workers at Kaiser Permanente in Northern California say patients continue to wait up to two months.
Your Out-of-Pocket Health Care Costs Need Not Be a Mystery
By Bernard J. Wolfson
November 15, 2021
KFF Health News Original
A new California law requires health insurance companies to notify consumers how much remains on their deductibles and how close they are to their annual out-of-pocket spending limits.
California Law Aims to Strengthen Access to Mental Health Services
By Bernard J. Wolfson
November 1, 2021
KFF Health News Original
The law doesn’t take effect until July, but its passage should force insurers to expand their rosters of therapists. Here’s how you can challenge your health plan’s mental health services until then.
Layers of Subcontracted Services Confuse and Frustrate Medi-Cal Patients
By Bernard J. Wolfson
December 22, 2021
KFF Health News Original
Many of the 14 million patients in Medi-Cal are in managed care health plans that outsource their care to subcontractors or sub-subcontractors. For patients with difficult health care needs, it can be hard to know where to turn.
Wildfire Smoke Is Here to Stay. Here’s How to Clean the Air Inside Your Home.
By Bernard J. Wolfson
September 28, 2021
KFF Health News Original
There are many ways to cleanse indoor air of dangerous smoke particles, which are particularly harmful to people with chronic respiratory and cardiac conditions. Some are expensive, but cheap alternatives exist.
