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 as doctors, mental health professionals, hospitals, labs, imaging centers, and more that are in the health plan’s network. When consumers go to search for a new doctor or mental […]
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 […]
New Office of Health Care Affordability Proposal Would Limit Health Cost Growth, Offering Real Relief to Californians
Health and consumer advocates praise new staff recommendations of the Office of Health Care Affordability to set a statewide health growth target at 3% OHCA’s Health Care Affordability Board to make final decision in coming months SACRAMENTO, CA – California’s ambitious effort to rein in the skyrocketing cost of care enters a new phase this […]
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 […]
Bill Signed by Governor Newsom to Permanently Cap Prescription Drug Costs
AB 948 (Berman) keeps expensive prescription drugs more affordable for Californians with chronic illnesses SACRAMENTO, CA – Over the weekend, California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed AB 948 by Assemblymember Berman to make permanent the existing $250 co-pay cap for prescription drugs, ensuring consumers can count on their monthly prescription drug costs staying consistent, even […]
We’re Close to Stopping Surprise Ambulance Bills!
We’ve been fighting all year, and now our effort to stop surprise ambulance bills is close to the finish line. We need your help right now to get it done. Use our easy tool to tell your State Senator to vote YES to stop surprise ambulance bills! At this crucial moment, we need you to […]
Major Bill to Stop Surprise Ambulance Bills was Passed in Emergency Management Committee Today
AB 716 (Boerner) builds on California’s strong patient protections against surprise medical bills by extending them to also include ambulance bills Bill was heard in Assembly Emergency Management committee TODAY at 2:30pm, where it passed 6-0. ***Impacted consumer stories available upon request*** SACRAMENTO, CA – Building on nearly a decade of work to protect Californians […]
Consumer Protection
Bill to Raise Fines on Health Plans Heads to Governor’s Desk
Today the Legislature approved passage of SB 858 by Senator Scott Wiener which updates penalty amounts that the state can levy on health plans that don’t meet state consumer protection standards. It now goes to Governor Newsom for final signature.