Health Care Reform

Quality, affordable health coverage for everyone

The passage of federal health reform has not ended our work; in fact, we are busier than ever. Instead of being concentrated in Congress for just over a year, health reform will spur frenetic activity over the next five years across the nation, at both the federal and state level, in venues both legislative and regulatory.

The work that needs to be done at the federal level, especially at the Department of Health and Human Services, is immense. But much of the effort has now shitfed to the states, which have traditionally taken the lead on two central components of health reform: insurance regulation, and the administration of public coverage programs.

With federal standards and guidance, each state has a role in everything from expanding and streamlining its Medicaid programs, to setting up the new exchanges which will provide a new, regulated market for consumers to purchase coverage. In essence, the bill spurs fifty different health reforms.

Health Access is a member of the steering committee of It's Our Healthcare!, a coalition of consumer advocates, seniors, health advocates, communities of faith, and labor united to ensure that the people of California's voice is heard in the debate over healthcare reform. As part of an effort to hold health insurance companies accountable for their actions, It's Our Healthcare! launched the Sick of Blue Cross website, among other activities.

Health Access continues its commitment, at both the state and federal level, to comprehensive health care reform.

Health Access Analysis

Fulfilling the Promise: Implementing and Improving Health Reform in California - A list of health consumer bills currently in the California State Legislature that are intended to implement and improve certain provisions in the federal health reform law and prepare the state for other provisions contained in the law. (Updated - August 23, 2010)
Health Reform 3 Month Status Report: Californians Begin to See the Benefits; Much More to Do to Fulfill Its Promise - A new report highlighting benefits already in place, additional benefits coming online this year, and efforts to continue implementing and improving health reform in California. (June 21, 2010)
Fulfilling the Promise: Implementing and Improving Health Reform in
Fulfilling the Promise of Health Reform: Creating a Fair & Transparent Exchange (April 20, 2010)
Fulfilling the Promise of Health Reform: Keeping Insurers Accountable (April 20, 2010)
Fulfilling the Promise of Health Reform: Ensuring Access for Individuals with Pre-Existing Conditions (April 20, 2010)
Fulfilling the Promise of Health Reform: Expanding, Streamlining, Improving Public Coverage Programs (April 13, 2010)
Federal Health Reform: What Does it Mean for You, Your Family, and California - A PowerPoint presentation that explains the content of federal health care reform and how it will affect California. (Updated - April 10, 2010)
Health Consumer Bills in the 2010 Legislative Session (March 29, 2010)
The Bridge to Reform: How Can California Be Ready for Reform & Expansion on Day One, Through the Medicaid Section 1115 Waiver (Updated - March 28, 2010)
What Does Health Reform Mean for the Coverage of California's Families? (March 26, 2010)
Report: Recommendations On Access To Health Care - Health Access outlines three policy positions that would improve access to health care in California (January 27, 2009)
It's Our Healthcare! - Goals and Guidelines for Health Care Reform: Guiding principles of the It's Our Healthcare! coalition (May 2008)