In First State of the State, Governor Newsom Outlines Big Ideas on Health Care Affordability

By Rachel Linn Gish and Anthony Wright February 12, 2019

In his first State of the State address, Governor Newsom outlined big ideas on health care.  Governor Newsom is right to focus on the affordability crisis in California, given the costs of health care, housing and other expenses in our state. From premiums to prescription drug prices, the Governor pinpointed the problem that Californians are struggling […] Read More

New Covered California Report Outlines Options for Affordability Assistance for Health Insurance

By Rachel Linn Gish and Anthony Wright February 1, 2019

Following the release of 2019 enrollment numbers earlier this week that show steady overall enrollment but a 23% drop in new sign-ups, Covered California today put out a new report detailing various options for increasing affordability assistance for low- and moderate-income Californians who buy health insurance as individuals. The report, commissioned by the Legislature in last year’s […] Read More

New Covered CA Sign-Up Numbers Signal Need for More Affordability Assistance and Individual Mandate

By Rachel Linn Gish and Anthony Wright January 30, 2019

Today, Covered California released its 2019 enrollment numbers, showing sharp declines in new sign-ups, but overall enrollees holding steady. The new report shows Covered California’s resiliency despite federal sabotage, with 1.2 million renewals and nearly 300,000 new enrollees, a total of 1.5 million enrollees. However, new sign-ups were down significantly – 23.7% – due to the elimination […] Read More

RECAP: California Leads on Getting to Universal Health Care

By Yasmin Peled and Rachel Linn Gish January 14, 2019

Last week was a big week for health care in California, so here is a rundown of what happened and what it means! On Monday, Gavin Newsom was sworn in as the 40th Governor of California, and quickly announced his first actions on health care. Then on Thursday, Governor Newsom unveiled a state budget that put those actions into […] Read More

Governor Newsom’s First Budget Includes First-In-Nation Steps to Expand Medi-Cal, Lower Premiums for Californians

By Rachel Linn Gish and Anthony Wright January 10, 2019

Today Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled his first budget, which includes first-in-the-nation investments for major expansions for California’s health care. The 2019-2020 budget proposes to expand Medi-Cal and to help middle-income Californians better afford premiums in Covered California and the individual insurance market. This budget takes first-of-the-nation steps to help Californians access health care and coverage, […] Read More

On Day One, Governor Newsom Takes Key Steps Towards Health Care To All Californians

By Rachel Linn Gish and Anthony Wright January 7, 2019

Health Consumer Groups Applaud Both Long-Term Vision for Health Care for all Californians, and the Governor’s Specific Steps to Help Californians Access & Afford Coverage This Year On his first day in office, Governor Newsom announces support for major expansions of health coverage and other key health reforms, including first-in-the-nation expansions: increasing affordability assistance post-ACA […] Read More

Report: CA Health Plans Still Struggle to Meet Timely Access Standards

By Rachel Linn Gish December 19, 2018

CARE DELAYED IS CARE DENIED A new report by California’s Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) released today is the first of its kind to provide data on timely access to care separating out commercial, individual/family, and Medi-Cal health plans. Health Access sponsored 2014’s SB 964 (Hernandez) that requires this annual report. The report found industry-wide difficulty providing timely […] Read More

Decision in Texas v. United States Strikes ACA, Puts the Health Coverage of Millions at Risk

By Rachel Linn Gish and Anthony Wright December 14, 2018

On Friday December 14th, Judge Reed O’Conner ruled in Texas v. United States to strike the entirety of the Affordable Care (ACA), due to the unconstitutionality of the individual mandate in the law and its inseparability from the ACA as a whole. While the decision will be appealed by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, and thus does not […] Read More