Anthem Blue Cross sued over new HIV/AIDS drug policy
by Kenny Goldbert, KPBS.org
A consumer group is suing Anthem Blue Cross over a new policy that requires HIV patients to get their medications by mail. A San Diego man who is HIV positive is the lead plaintiff. Read More ›
Many workers surprised by hike in payroll taxes
by Dale Kasler, Sacramento Bee
The first paycheck of 2013 contained a nasty surprise for many workers: a tax hike that shrank their take-home earnings by two percent or more. Read More ›
Java’s security flaws prompt warnings to disable the software
by Steve Johnson, San Jose Mercury News
Millions of computer users were advised to temporarily disable Java software because of security weaknesses that make their machines vulnerable to everything from virus-infected websites to ransomeware, which often locks users out of their computers until they pay the perpetrators. Read More ›
Anthem’s mail-order policy may have crossed a legal line
by David Lazarus, Los Angeles Times
The health insurer’s requirement that some customers get their prescription drugs from a single mail-order pharmacy has caught the eye of the California attorney general’s office. Read More ›
More money, more accountability for community colleges
by Kathryn Baron, EdSource
The spending plan for community colleges reflects the new focus in the California 112-campus community college system on increasing graduation and transfer rates through a combination of technology, smoother pathways to Cal State University and, for students, tough love. Read More ›
Gov. Jerry Brown commits to major Medi-Cal expansion
In order to help implement the Affordable Care Act overhaul in California, Gov. Brown proposed a major expansion of the public insurance program in the state budget. Read More ›
Jerry Brown to propose more money, finance overhaul for California schools
by Kevin Yamamura, Sacramento Bee
Gov. Jerry Brown will give more than $2 billion extra to K-12 districts next school year and ask lawmakers to direct more funding to impoverished students and English learners in his budget plan. Read More ›
Rapid DNA: Coming soon to a police department or immigration office near you
by Jennifer Lynch, Electronic Frontier Foundation
In the amount of time it takes to get lunch, the government can now collect your DNA and extract a profile that identifies you and your family members. Read More ›
California can’t stop unreasonable insurance rate hike, says insurance commissioner
by Doug Heller, California Progress Report
Anthem Blue Cross plans to go ahead with a 10.6% annual avergage insurance rate hike on small business owners, despite the fact that an examination by the California Insurance Commissioner found it to be unreasonable and unsupportable. Read More ›
Online college courses to grant credentials, for a fee
by Nick Anderson, Washington Post
Providers of free online college courses are experimenting with academic security measures that will enable students who successfully complete the courses to obtain credentials, for a small fee, that convey some of the cachet of a premier university. Read More ›
California officials investigate whether Kaiser violated patient privacy laws
by Kenny Goldberg, KPBS.org
Kaiser Permanente is in hot water with state regulators over the mishandling of nearly 300,000 patient records. Officials are investigating whether Kaiser violated patient privacy laws. Read More ›
Banks’ mortgage settlement draws skepticism
by Carolyn Said, San Francisco Chronicle
Consumer advocates questioned the effectiveness of an $8.5 billion settlement to resolve charges that 10 major banks mishandled foreclosures and loan modifications, saying details remain murky and that the amount of money will be minimal once distributed among millions of people. Read More ›
State: Anthem Blue Cross rates for small business ‘unreasonable’
by Chad Terhune, Los Angeles Times
CA insurance commissioner said an 11% increase for small businesses by Anthem Blue Cross is unreasonable because they overstated costs and improperly added fees related to the federal healthcare law. Read More ›