Latest KFF Health News Stories
Slightly More Latinos and African Americans Sign Up On California Exchange
About 37 percent of subsidized Covered California enrollees are Latino, up six points compared with last year, and about 4 percent are African American, up one point.
Residents of a tiny rural town in northern California talk about the lack of access to mental health care.
When Health Care Is Far From Home
The biggest barrier to treatment for residents of a tiny town in the mountains of Northern California isn’t insurance coverage– it’s distance.
Kaiser Permanente Faulted Again For Mental Health Care Lapses In California
Following up on a critical report in 2013, the California Department of Managed Health Care found Kaiser Permanente had not resolved concerns about providing timely and appropriate access to treatment.
Surprise! The Taco Truck Is On Your Diet
The lunch truck menu is known more for grease and starch than leafy greens. But researchers in Los Angeles County say adding more nutritious options to the menu is one step toward reducing obesity.
Low-Income Californians More Satisfied With Their Health Care, Report Finds
A 2014 survey finds low-income California residents are happier with the quality of care they received than in 2011, before many provisions of the Affordable Care Act took effect.
Measles Outbreak Sparks Bid To Strengthen Calif. Vaccine Law
Two California lawmakers have introduced a bill to eliminate a “personal belief exemption” used by parents to sidestep a school vaccination requirement.
To Protect His Son, A Father Asks School To Bar Unvaccinated Children
A California child in remission from leukemia cannot be vaccinated because his immune system is rebuilding after chemotherapy. The family, which lives in a school district where 7 percent of the children are not vaccinated under a “personal belief exemption,” is asking school officials to have all kids be vaccinated or stay home from school during the measles outbreak.
California Ranks Last In Spending On Diabetes Prevention, Audit Finds
With one in 12 residents estimated to suffer from diabetes, California spends less on prevention per person than any other state, according to a state audit.
Insurance Choices Dwindle In Rural California As Blue Shield Pulls Back
Blue Shield of California stopped selling individual plans on the state health insurance exchange in about 250 zip codes, leaving nearly 30,000 residents with only one insurer to choose from on the exchange.
California Launches Campaign To Curb E-Cigarette Smoking
Though not as harmful as smoking regular cigarettes, ‘vaping’ is both toxic and gaining in popularity, especially among young people, California officials say.
Most Californians On Insurance Exchange Are Sticking With Last Year’s Plan
In California, the vast majority of people renewing health insurance coverage in the state’s exchange did not switch health plans, and instead are sticking with the one they selected last year.
With Half of California’s Kids On Medicaid, Advocates Worry About Service
More children than ever before have enrolled in Medi-Cal, half of children in California, causing concern about timely access to treatment.
Letters To The Editor: Chronic Care Transitions, Proton Therapy, California’s Caregivers
Kaiser Health News gives readers a chance to respond, react and comment on our stories.
Judge Orders California To Make Timely Decisions On Medicaid Coverage
A California judge has ruled that the state must make timely decisions on Medi-Cal applicants, and that those who have waited more than 45 days for approval from the state can get temporary coverage.
California Takes Different Path On Insuring Immigrants Living In U.S. Illegally
Local initiatives offer free care and legislation proposes coverage for all regardless of immigration status. Will other states follow suit?
Rural Doctor Launches Startup To Ease Pain Of Dying Patients
Getting basic health care to rural areas has always been difficult, and delivering specialized care is even harder. One doctor is raising money to get palliative care to patients in rural California.
How California Can Improve Oversight of Home Caregivers
In California, hundreds of thousands of low-income elderly and disabled people receive daily care in their homes from their children, spouses, relatives and others. And, through a program called In-Home Supportive Services, the state pays many of those caregivers about $10 an hour to do the job.
Lots Of Responsibility For In-Home Care Providers — But No Training Required
The lack of instruction even in CPR and first aid in California program puts clients at risk, according to experts, advocates and some caregivers.
As Caregiving Shifts To The Home, Scrutiny Is Lacking
California’s publicly funded in-home care program leaves elderly and disabled clients vulnerable to abuse and poor treatment, Kaiser Health News investigation finds.
