Undocumented Californians are explicitly and unjustly excluded from accessing and purchasing health care coverage plans through Covered California, the state’s marketplace established under the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA). Assembly Bill 4 (Arambula) would address this exclusion by taking the first step toward allowing undocumented Californians to buy health plans through Covered California. Specifically, AB […]
Over 200 CA Organizations Ask Congress to Protect Health Care Coverage
RE: Protect & Strengthen Health Care Coverage and Access in the 119th Congress Dear Speaker Johnson, Majority Leader Thune, Minority Leader Jeffries, and Minority Leader Schumer: We, the undersigned organizations, comprise a diverse coalition of community-based, faith-based, labor, county, and health care organizations across California. Medicaid, Medi-Cal in California, is a lifeline for coverage and […]
2024 Year in Review
2024 was a year in flux for both health reform and Health Access. Significant progress was made on lowering health care costs and making care more affordable for millions of Californians. At the same time, we also weathered the departure of our 22-year Executive Director and a national election with major health care implications. Our […]
County Health Care Access for Uninsured Californians
This is a resource for uninsured Californians and those that assist them in enrollment to learn about county indigent programs and their eligibility requirements. (Detailed PDF) Most Californians get coverage through employers, through state and federal public programs like Medicare or Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California), or by buying a health plan with affordability assistance through […]
Legislators and Advocates Unveil 2024 Care4all California Bills for Health Reform
Thirteen CA proposals announced today to get California to a more universal, accessible, and equitable health system, as soon as possible SACRAMENTO, CA – Today health care advocates gathered with legislative champions at the State Capitol to highlight important health reform bills in the 2024 legislative session. The thirteen bills and budget items featured as […]
CA State Assembly Passes Patient Protection to Ensure Accurate Plan Provider Directories
AB 236 (Holden), which seeks to improve the accuracy of health plan provider directories for consumers, now heads to the California Senate. ***Impacted consumer stories available upon request*** SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, the California State Assembly passed AB 236 by Assemblymember Chris Holden, which will ensure accurate health plan provider directories, and help consumers […]
AB 236 (Holden) Ensuring Accurate Health Plan Provider Directories
BREAKING: #AB236 (@chrisholdennews) passed out of the #CAStateAssembly with 46 votes, and now it’s headed to the #CAStateSenate! 🎉 https://t.co/WL7lUMLkIc — Health Access CA (@healthaccess) January 30, 2024 Background Every health plan in California is required to maintain an updated list of in-network health care providers for their enrollees. These directories list providers such […]
2023 in Review
In 2023, Health Access advocated to provide real relief and remove financial barriers to California health consumers—successfully helping increase access to and/or reduce the cost of coverage, care, prescription drugs, and even ground ambulance services. We supported major investments in Medi-Cal to improve access and continue the commitment to expand coverage to all those who […]
Californians Share Their Surprise Ambulance Bill Stories
In a medical emergency, you may be thinking a lot of things – am I ok? Do I need help? Can I get to a hospital? The things you should not be thinking are “can I afford the ambulance ride I need?” or “is this ambulance provider in my network?” Yet many Californians have received […]
Statement on Biden Administration’s Expansion of Health Care Access to DACA Recipients
SACRAMENTO, CA – Below is a statement from Health Access California, the statewide health care consumer advocacy coalition, in response to President Biden’s announcement today to designate all DACA recipients as “lawfully present”, therefore giving them full access to health care coverage through Medicaid and ACA health insurance marketplaces like Covered California. California is home […]