Category: Quality

Access, Affordability, Budget, Care4AllCA, Cost Containment, Covered California, DMHC, Equity, Expanding Coverage, Health Reform, Health4All, Insurers, LGBT, Medi-Cal, Prescription Drugs, Quality, Timely Access, Undocumented, Uninsured

Major Health Care Consumer Wins this #CALeg and #CABudget Session

With the Governor’s final actions on bills last week, health consumer advocates applauded a major year in health reform, where California continued its leadership on health care access, affordability, and equity. Californians will see both short and long-term benefits from the bills and budget items adopted by Governor Newsom and the state legislature this year […]

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, Budget, Consumer Protection, Covered California, COVID-19, Economy, Equity, Expanding Coverage, Gov. Newsom, Health Reform, Health4All, Legislation, LGBT, Medi-Cal, Prevention, Quality, Undocumented

California Legislature Passes Their 2021 – 2022 Budget with Steps Towards A More Universal Health Care System. Deal On Final Budget Must Still Be Reached With Governor Newsom.

Yesterday, the California State Assembly and State Senate voted to pass a 2021-2022 state budget that includes funding for a more universal, equitable, and affordable, health care system. While the Legislature is in agreement on this version of the budget, negotiations continue with Governor Newsom on a final deal. On June 1, the state legislature […]

COVID-19, Equity, Quality

Recommitting to Racial Justice and Health Equity – Black Lives Matter

Adopted by the Health Access California board Health Access California supports the Black Lives Matters movement, and stands with those in the streets to protest unacceptable police violence, and structural racism targeted at the Black community. Responding to the Black Lives Matter movement, and building upon our previous organizational statement, Health Access recommits to the […]

Quality, Scorecard

Office of Patient Advocate Releases 2017-18 Health Care Quality Report Card

The California Office of the Patient Advocate (OPA) has released its 2017-18 Health Care Quality Report Card, a tool that helps consumers compare the quality of health plans and find information to help them get the care they need. With California’s Open Enrollment starting November 1st and continuing until January 31, 2018, consumers can evaluate […]

Medi-Cal, Medical Debt, Quality, Undocumented

Budget Deal Reached!

The Legislature and the Governor have reached a budget deal! The Budget Conference Committee convened on Thursday night to take final action on budget issues in Conference Committee, which is described below. See how health priorities fared in our budget scorecard. The revised budget includes several limited but important investments in health and human services, […]

Insurers, Mergers, Prevention, Quality

Wonkery for Your Week

We wanted to spotlight two of the recent Health Wonk Reviews, a biweekly compendium of the best from the health policy blogosphere. Last week, Charles Gaba at ACAsignups.net (the best place to track Obamacare enrollment nationally) had a very California-heavy edition, with posts about Covered California’s quality initiatives, our death-with-dignity law, and our post about […]

Quality

The ACA Turns 6: Reflections from California for the 2016 Presidential Election Year

The Affordable Care Act, President Obama’s signature achievement, turns six today, March 23, in the heat of the most contentious and divisive presidential campaigns in recent memory. In the presidential race we see the usual partisan divide with the Democrats wanting to either build on it (Clinton) or move to single-payer health care (Sanders), and the […]

Insurers, Mergers, Network Adequacy, Quality, Timely Access

Anthem Blue Cross-Cigna’s Troubling Track Records Spotlighted at DMHC Public Meeting

On March, 4, 2016, the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) held a public meeting on the proposed takeover of Cigna by Anthem Blue Cross. The public meeting was requested by consumer groups including Health Access, Consumers Union, and others to raise questions about the structure of the deal, its potential impact on California’s patients […]