Category: Prescription Drugs

Affordable Care Act, Covered California, Federal, Medicare, Prescription Drugs

Historic Congressional Vote this Week Would Reduce Health Care Costs for Millions of Californians

This week, the U.S. Congress is poised to vote on a much anticipated package of health and other reforms that will provide both immediate and long-term relief from rising health plan premiums and prescription drug prices. In addition to notable climate change and tax policy provisions, the Inflation Reduction Act represents the most impactful federal legislation on health costs since the passage of the Affordable Care Act.

Affordability, Budget, Covered California, Expanding Coverage, Health4All, Medi-Cal, OHCA, Prescription Drugs

New Budget Deal to Extend Major Help to Afford Health Care for Millions of Californians

A statement by Anthony Wright, executive director, Health Access California, the statewide health care consumer advocacy coalition, on the announcement of a California state budget deal between Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders, and the impact on Californians accessing and affording health care and coverage:

Affordability, Budget, Care4AllCA, Cost Containment, Covered California, Health4All, Medi-Cal, Prescription Drugs, Uninsured

New #CABudget Deal Extends Major Help to Afford Health Care to Millions of Californians

The Governor and Legislature announced a final deal on the California state budget late yesterday, including some major investments in a variety of health and human services. We greatly appreciate that this state budget deal includes crucial commitments to improve health care access and affordability for Californians, providing real relief to many immediately, with the […]

Affordability, Budget, Legislation, Medi-Cal, Prescription Drugs

Key Health Investments to be Heard in CA Budget Committees Starting This Week

Big health reforms, from major expansions of access and affordability to efforts to control costs and improve quality and equity, will be heard in the California Legislature starting tomorrow, as hearings begin on the Governor Gavin Newsom ‘s $286.4 billion state budget for 2022-23. The hearings will discuss historic steps to close coverage gaps and bring California to near-universal health coverage. These hearings will debate what is in the current budget proposal, but also areas where the state can improve, or take additional steps to strengthen our health care system. 

Affordability, Affordable Care Act, Covered California, Federal, Health Reform, Prescription Drugs

Federal Build Back Better Framework Includes Major Health Investments, Falls Short on Prescription Drug & Medicare Reform

Today President Biden announced a federal framework for the Build Back Better proposal that includes historic investments to help Californians afford their health care, but does not include key proposals around prescription drug price reform and expanding Medicare dental and vision benefits. The framework includes the continued expansion of financial help in Covered California, providing […]

Federal, Legislation, Prescription Drugs, Quality

Beyond the Process and Timing of the Build Back Better act in Congress, New Factsheets Show What’s at stake for Californians’ Health

Health Access California today released new data on the statewide impacts of the proposed federal Build Back Better bill on California’s health care as Congress continues to negotiate a final deal. The new data includes how many Californians would benefit from improved Medicare benefits and extended ACA affordability assistance, and how much Californians might save […]

Affordability, Affordable Care Act, Budget, Consumer Protection, Cost Containment, COVID-19, Equity, Federal, Health4All, Legislation, LGBT, Medi-Cal, Mergers, Prescription Drugs, Surprise Bills, Trump, Undocumented

Twenty Takeaways from 2020

Protecting Our Progress and Confronting the Challenges of COVID-19 Like most Californians, we had high hopes for progress in 2020. The year began in earnest with the implementation of expanded access and affordability to coverage for hundreds of thousands of Californians, and ambitious plans to increase health industry oversight to control costs, improve quality and […]

Cost Containment, Gov. Newsom, Prescription Drugs

Governor Gavin Newsom Signs SB 852, Addressing Prescription Drug Costs

Today, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 852 (Pan) which will allow the state to potentially contract to manufacture generic drugs, lowering costs and increasing access for consumers. “We should use every tool available, including the contracting power of the state of California, to expand access to life-saving generic prescription drugs. By creating a generic drug label for the state, SB 852 (Pan) will help ensure that Californians have access to more affordable generic medications.

Consumer Protection, Cost Containment, COVID-19, Mergers, Prescription Drugs

Key Bills Addressing Health Care Costs Up in CA Senate Health Committee Today

The California Senate Health Committee today will hear a number of key bills on public health, health care access, and on addressing high health care costs, particularly on prescription drug prices, and on hospital consolidation. This will be the only Senate Health Committee before the end of session, and the only opportunity to hear testimony on these important bills.