Articles

Perspective Needed At California Energy Commission

California has a summer blend of gasoline in order for cars to run more efficiently and cleaner in the warmer months. This year, refiners used their market power to raise prices after the switch took place in Los Angeles. The blend is marginally more expensive to make, but not by anywhere near what LA refiners are charging their gas stations for the new blend: 37 cents more.

Health Insurers Lose Silent Round In Medi-Cal Deal

California taxpayers dodged a bullet yesterday with the passage of a high-stakes bill to help fund Medi-Cal.

Legislative Democrats and nearly a dozen Republicans approved a plan to trade existing taxes for a new tax on insurers to raise more than $1 billion in needed health care funding and preserve federal Medi-Cal matching funds.

Capitol Watchdog: Upcoming Meetings to Watch

The Department of Managed Health Care will be reviewing Anthem's proposed acquisition of Cigna. While Cigna's footprint is small in California, it continues the rapid consolidation of the health insurance industry.

Will Lawmakers Protect Doctors Or Patients In New Legislation?

If California lawmakers plan to move forward with creating a state-sponsored "diversion program" for treating substance-abusing doctors, it should not be a secret country club for addicted doctors who want to hide from the consequences. 

Living Without Aliso Canyon's Natural Gas

Lots of residents who live close to SoCalGas's Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility want the place shut down. The blowout at well SS-25 went on for months, making people sick in communities like Porter Ranch, Northridge, Chatsworth, and Granada Hills. Senator Fran Pavley responded by introducing Bill SB 380  that won't let Aliso's 115 wells reopen until they are deemed safe or plugged. She's also weighing whether we can live without the facility altogether.

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