Dive Brief: The blackouts created by the Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) utility in Northern California have led to numerous hospitals relying on their backup generators for power. Many of the hospitals have had to cancel elective procedures. No hospital has had to close down, but some clinics have had to cut back on operations.… Read More: Sutter, Kaiser among hospitals hit by Northern California blackouts »
Dive Brief: After a surprise billing ban went into effect in California, the share of services delivered out-of-network by affected specialties declined by 17%, according to a new analysis by the USC-Brookings Schaeffer Initiative for Health Policy. The drop was primarily focused in the third quarter of 2017, immediately after the law was implemented. The… Read More: After California surprise billing law, fewer specialty services were out-of-network »
Dive Brief: California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) signed a bill into law Thursday mandating greater transparency in Kaiser Permanente’s financial disclosures as income for the not-for-profit integrated health system continues to soar. Starting in 2020, Kaiser must break out expenses and revenue for its hospitals on a per-facility basis, revenue by type of payer, and rate… Read More: Kaiser to reveal detailed financials under newly-signed California bill »
OAKLAND, Calif. (Reuters) – When Californian counties and cities first sued paint makers in 2000, they wanted the companies to pay billions to remove dangerous old lead paint from hundreds of thousands of homes. Ashley Avila, 11, plays with her nephew Alexander Avila, 3, outside of their home where Alexander was lead poisoned by lead-based… Read More: California settles decades-long lawsuit over lead paint, but outcome is… »