The California State Assembly recently passed AB 890, which would give “full practice authority” to nurse practitioners. But a California physicians group opposes the bill.
While California's Medicaid expansion has helped provide first-time health insurance to residents throughout the Central San Joaquin Valley, patients living in rural communities still face tremendous obstacles to actually receiving care.
A hospital in Marin County, California, has successfully lowered its Cesarean-section rates by employing nurse midwives. As KRCB’s Danielle Venton reports, duplicating those results around the state is going to require some creative thinking.
"It's not your grandmother's Medi-Cal any more." California's version of Medicaid now provides health services for more than 12 million people, almost a third of all Californians. Medi-Cal insures more people than the populations of all but six states.
One year into the explosive, health law-induced growth of Medi-Cal, it appears one of the most alarming predictions of critics is coming true: The supply of doctors hasn't kept up with demand.
California mirrors the country's rising rate of C-section births — up by 50 percent in 10 years. That worries experts, who say the procedure carries added costs and risks. But data-driven efforts are underway in the state to turn the tide, with some notable early success.
Will the increasing use of consumer data in health care create new exclusions and disparities or lead to a future of better care and better health outcomes? A new report outlines the risks and promises of this brave new health care world.
Are patients more likely to comparison shop when states increase pricing transparency? A recent report found that while New Hampshire's effort was effective in highlighting price gaps between providers, consumer response was tepid and costs didn't go down.
Patients without insurance often only go to the doctor when they’re sick, and they readily choose the easiest, nearest option — the local emergency room. A big part of health care reform is to encourage patients to get preventive care with a primary-care physician.
Capital Public Radio launched its multimedia documentary series with a personal, in-depth look inside the lives of adults with autism today. "The View From Here: Autism Grows Up" follows four adults in the Sacramento region with autism who are aiming for a life of choice and opportunity.
