Category: Gov. Newsom

Budget, Gov. Newsom, Health4All

Governor Newsom’s 2024-25 Budget Continues California’s Key Commitments in Health Care

Despite a deficit, the 2024-2025 state budget proposed by Governor Gavin Newsom continues key commitments in health care, particularly in Medi-Cal with improvements in rates and access, benefits, quality and equity, and eligibility, and keeping Medi-Cal available for all income-eligible Californians regardless of age or immigration status. As Californians face rising cost-of-living pressures, and higher […]

Consumer Protection, Cost Containment, Gov. Newsom, Legislation, Prescription Drugs

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 […]

Gov. Newsom, Legislation, Surprise Bills

CA Governor Gavin Newsom Signs Bill to End Surprise Ambulance Billing for Californians

One of the most impactful health consumer bills this year, AB 716 (Boerner) will prevent Californians from getting $1,000 plus surprise ambulance bills, and take consumers out of the middle of ambulance billing disputes ***Impacted consumer stories available upon request*** SACRAMENTO, CA – Today California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed AB 716 by Assemblymember Tasha […]

Gov. Newsom, Hospitals

Statement on California Distressed Hospital Loan Announcement

SACRAMENTO, CA – Below is a statement from Anthony Wright, Executive Director of Health Access California, the statewide health care consumer advocacy coalition, in response to Governor Newsom’s announcement today to loan $300 million to 17 hospitals throughout the state under the Distressed Hospital Loan Program. “These funds are much appreciated to support the hospitals […]

Affordability, Gov. Newsom, Prescription Drugs

Statement Responding to Governor Newsom’s CalRX Announcement Saturday

SACRAMENTO, CA – Below is a statement by Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California, the statewide health care consumer advocacy coalition on Governor Newsom’s CalRx announcement today. Health Access served as the leading supporter of Governor Gavin Newsom’s budget proposal and SB 852, Senator Richard Pan’s related legislation to directly contract to manufacture prescription drugs. […]

Affordability, Budget, Covered California, Gov. Newsom, Medi-Cal, Undocumented

Top Health Care Takeaways from Governor Newsom’s 2023-24 CA Budget Proposal

On Tuesday Governor Gavin Newsom released his proposed 2023-24 state budget, continuing commitments to expand and improve Medi-Cal, including the plan to remove all barriers for income-eligible Californians, regardless of immigration status, in Medi-Cal beginning January 2024. As we continue to face an ongoing pandemic and increasing economic uncertainty, we applaud this step to include […]

Budget, Covered California, Gov. Newsom, Medi-Cal

Governor Newsom’s 2023-24 Ca Budget Proposal Keeps Key Medi-Cal Commitments, But Claws Back Money For Health Affordability Assistance

The proposed 2023-2024 state budget by Governor Gavin Newsom continues key commitments to improve and expand health care, including removing barriers in Medi-Cal for all income-eligible Californians regardless of immigration status by January 2024, as well as some new efforts on housing supports and reproductive health.  As Californians face rising cost-of-living pressures, and higher health […]

Affordability, Budget, Covered California, Federal, Gov. Newsom, Individual Mandate, Legislation

Deductibles to Spike for Majority of Covered California Enrollees in 2023

Hundreds of thousands of Californians with Covered California health plans will see their co-pays go up and deductibles rise by over one thousand dollars next year, as a result of Governor Gavin Newsom’s veto of SB 944 by Senator Pan, and Covered California’s board action following the veto. SB 944 sought to lower cost-sharing in […]