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Kim Belshé Talks Exchanges

Kim Belshé, former Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, recently gave an interview in which she discussed the California Health Benefit Exchange and the ways in which it is positioned to expand coverage, improve quality of care and reduce costs in our health care system. As one… more

*Updated* ACA Implementation Timeline

Thanks to ITUP all-star intern Christina Vane, we have recently updated our Health Reform Implementation Timeline. This helpful document offers short descriptions of all reform-related policies and the dates they become effective and/or expire — with a particular focus on California impacts. We hope you (continue to) find it both… more

Improving Quality and Patient Safety

For many, one of the health system’s lowest hanging fruits — an item that is easily fixed and will likely result in cost savings and better health outcomes — is patient safety improvement. Right now, our system is fraught with preventable events such as hospital-acquired conditions, surgical mistakes, pharmacy errors,… more

§1115 Waiver Resources

Counties across the state are starting to gear up for full implementation of the new §1115 waiver: the SPD population is being transitioned to managed care, applications for the Low Income Health Program are being reviewed, and DHCS recently released the final Request for Proposal (RFP) for four counties to… more

Conference Committee Irons Out Budget Items

Over the past week, the bicameral Conference Committee has met to resolve the differences in the budget packages passed by the Senate and Assembly two weeks ago. To resolve California’s $25.4 billion General Fund shortfall, the Conference Committee’s budget closely parallels Governor Brown’s original plan. The Committee adopted $12.5 billion… more

Fourth Member of Exchange Board Announced

Earlier today, Assembly Speaker John Pérez announced his appointment to the board of the California Health Benefit Exchange: Paul Fearer. Mr. Fearer is Senior Executive Vice President and Director of Human Resources at Union Bank and the Board Chair of the Pacific Business Group on Health (PBGH). As the former… more

Health Reform Timeline

A timeline of implementation of the Patient Protection and Accountable Care Act (ACA). more

Information on ACA Implementation in CA

Last Thursday, HHS Region IX hosted a health reform event in Sacramento to provide updates and insights into two federal programs initiated by the ACA: the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Program (PCIP) and the Consumer Assistance Program (CAP). Here are some of the important take-away’s from that event… PCIP Richard Popper,… more

ACA Litigation and Implementation Resources

Looking for a one-stop website to get updated information on all the ACA litigation occurring across the country? Look no further. Santa Clara Law School Professor Brad Joondeph administers the ACA Litigation Blog which contains all the legal documents — briefs, arguments, opinions and orders — for each of the… more