California

California News

A nearly two-year-old initiative in California is credited with reducing hospital-related infections and cutting costs with simple solutions, like increased handwashing, better patient oral care and closely following checklists. 

In an article examining the disparity between hospital costs in northern and southern California, the Los Angeles Times reports that hospitals in the northern part of the state receive 56 percent more revenue from insurers and patients than in the southern end of the state

California’s Small Business Majority Health Care Outreach Program surveyed small businesses in nine major cities between May 2010 and January 2011 regarding how to move forward with the new health care law’s implementation. They aimed to provide education on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) while creating a forum for businesses to voice concerns.  The report released in February 2011 found that California’s small businesses felt that healthcare costs were rising too fast and there was need for reform. It was also reported that most of the businesses had very little knowledge of the ACA and how it would affect their bottom line.

 

California Allies in Action

The California Endowment launches “GetCoveredCA” to explain how to get the most out of health reform.

In a report released by the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, Ignatius Bau offers an analysis of the potential benefits of health reform, specifically those related to reducing health care disparities. Bau concludes his analysis by describing the complexities of making these potential benefits a reality.

Small Business Majority and Families USA commissioned a study that found that nearly 80% of California small businesses will be eligible to receive a tax credit in 2010. 

California Resources

The Legacy Foundation's 2010 fact sheet on California's tobacco usage and state laws.

The Urban Institute and the University of California-San Francisco have released a brief on their evaluation of an initiative in San Mateo County, California, to improve access to high-quality care for uninsured and underinsured adults, while sustaining the financial viability of the San Mateo Medical Center delivery system.

America’s Health Insurance Plans, Center for Policy and Research has produced a document, Recent Trends in Hospital Prices in California and Oregon, containing data on actual prices paid for certain hospital services in the last several years.