Bernard J. Wolfson

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bwolfson@kff.org

How a Former Catholic Priest Is Navigating a California Medicaid Plan Through Big Changes 

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

Michael Hunn left the clergy and became a hospital and health system executive. He’s been named CEO of CalOptima, Orange County’s Medi-Cal health insurance plan for low-income residents, and his spiritual background is helping him guide the publicly run plan into the future.

Record Fines Might Mean California Is Finally Serious About Improving Medi-Cal

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

California regulators issued record fines against L.A. Care, the state’s largest Medi-Cal managed-care plan, for providing inadequate care to its enrollees. But whether the penalties are a sign that the state will make a more forceful effort to improve Medi-Cal’s overall quality of care remains to be seen.

Cuando los adolescentes no hacen caso al ruego de sus padres para que se vacunen, las consecuencias pueden ser mortales

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl 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

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl 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.

J&J-Vaxxed, mRNA-Boosted, and Pondering a Third Shot

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl 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 Inks Sweetheart Deal With Kaiser Permanente, Jeopardizing Medicaid Reforms

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

The backroom deal with politically connected Kaiser Permanente, which infuriated other Medi-Cal health plans, allows the health care giant to continue selecting the enrollees it wants.

What the Federal ‘No Surprises Act’ Means in California

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl 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.

Layers of Subcontracted Services Confuse and Frustrate Medi-Cal Patients

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl 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.

Covered California’s Insurance Deals Range From ‘No-Brainer’ to Sticker Shock

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl 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.

Nueva ley de California facilita el proceso de ayuda para morir

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

Una modificación a la ley vigente reduce el tiempo entre las peticiones necesarias para obtener los medicamentos para terminar con la vida. También protege más a los pacientes.

New California Law Eases Aid-in-Dying Process

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl 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.

Tu gasto de bolsillo en atención médica no debe ser un misterio

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

Una ley de California firmada por el gobernador Gavin Newsom en octubre puede ayudar a clasificar una maraña de facturas médicas para entender qué cubre el plan de salud y cuándo comenzará la cobertura.

Your Out-of-Pocket Health Care Costs Need Not Be a Mystery

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl 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

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl 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.

Atención primaria directa con un toque de Robin Hood

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

St. Luke’s Family Practice es una respuesta local a los problemas sistémicos de la sanidad estadounidense, como el agotamiento de los médicos, la insatisfacción de los pacientes y el hecho de que millones de personas sigan careciendo de asistencia. 

Direct Primary Care, With a Touch of Robin Hood

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

Some doctors, sick of mainstream health care’s red tape, are finding refuge in practices that combine concierge medicine with charity care.

Wildfire Smoke Is Here to Stay. Here’s How to Clean the Air Inside Your Home.

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl 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.

California’s Reboot of Troubled Medi-Cal Puts Pressure on Health Plans

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

The nine commercial insurers in Medi-Cal must reapply by submitting bids for new contracts. The state hopes the process will improve care for low-income residents and tighten accountability, something critics say has been missing.