Adam Beam | Medical Design & Development

Optometrist Hunter Morgan poses in his offices on Friday, March 1, 2024, in Encinitas, Calif. When Morgan bought an optometry practice in San Diego three years ago, one of the first things he did was start accepting patients who were enrolled in Medicaid — the government-funded health insurance program for the poor and the disabled. Just five months later, Morgan said, he had to stop treating Medicaid patients because of the paltry pay. He charges $175 for eye exams, but the most he could get from Medicaid was about $40.

California Wants to Pay Doctors More Money to See Medicaid Patients

California's Medicaid now covers some 15 million people, but the rates it pays to doctors have not kept up.

March 21, 2024

Thomas Marshall shows off the kitchen in his one bedroom apartment, in Sacramento, Calif., on February 24, 2023.

California Looks to Spend Some Medicaid Money on Housing

It would be the biggest test yet of using Medicaid money for housing.

March 27, 2023

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Final State Emergencies Winding Down 3 Years Into Pandemic

As California's emergency winds down, such declarations continue in just five other states.

February 28, 2023

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California Health Program Successfully Cut Hospital Visits

Different groups had vastly different results.

February 9, 2023

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, middle, speaks at a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023.

California Latest to Sue Drug Companies Over Insulin Prices

The accused of scheming to illegally increase the price of the drug.

January 13, 2023

Moonlight Pulido stands by the shore at Harbor Lake Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, in Los Angeles. California is paying reparations to victims, mostly women, who were either forcibly or coercively sterilized by the government. Pulido was sterilized while incarcerated in 2005.

California Trying to Find, Compensate Sterilization Victims

After a year of searching, the state has approved just 51 people for payments out of 310 applications.

January 5, 2023

California Aims to Make Its Own Insulin Brand to Lower Price

“It’s as essential as water."

July 29, 2022

Registered nurse Sandra Younan sets up a new intravenous line for a patient under her care at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center in Los Angeles on March 11, 2021. California officials, on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, announced health insurance rates would increase an average of 6% for the 1.7 million people who purchase coverage through the state run health insurance marketplace, Covered California. Health insurers in individual marketplaces across 13 states and Washington D.C. will raise rates an average of 10% next year.

U.S. Health Insurers Raise Rates to Match Increase in Usage

Record-high inflation is also driving up prices for virtually everything, including health care.

July 20, 2022

The state Assembly voted 60-0 on Thursday to send the bill to Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.

California Lawmakers Raise Awards for Malpractice Lawsuits

The state Assembly voted 60-0 on Thursday to send the bill to Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.

May 12, 2022