Amanda McAllister-Wallner officially takes the helm as Health Access California’s sixth Executive Director, and first new leader in 23 years In McAllister-Wallner’s nearly nine years at Health Access, she has served in key leadership roles including Interim Executive Director since last year, Deputy Director from 2021-2024, and Director of the CA LGBTQ+ HHS Network from […]
The State’s Finance Department sent a letter to Legislature yesterday alerting them of an additional $3.4 billion appropriation for Medi-Cal for this fiscal year Sacramento, CA – For more than a decade, the Health4All coalition, led by Health Access California and the California Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC), has been working closely with the state Legislature […]
All nine California House Republicans voted yes on the resolution that seeks to cut $880 billion from Medicaid, impacting millions of their constituents SACRAMENTO, CA – Health Access California, the statewide health care consumer advocacy coalition, released the following statement following tonight’s vote by Congress to move forward a budget resolution that seeks to cut […]
If enacted, President Trump’s extreme Executive Order could directly harm the health of tens of thousands of trans youth under the age of 19 in California SACRAMENTO, CA – Health Access and the CA LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network released the following statements following the January 28, 2025 Executive Order issued by President Trump […]
As health advocates continue to hear stories of consumers who can’t find care in their network, AB 280 (Aguiar-Curry) would finally hold health plans accountable to keep their provider directories up to date SACRAMENTO, CA – As the problem of inaccurate health plan provider directories persists in California, Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry took on the cause […]
Under current Congressional Republican proposals, major cuts could be looming for Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) and ACA exchanges like Covered California. New factsheets detail statewide impacts of cuts to Medi-Cal and Covered California, and chart the number of people in each of California’s 53 congressional districts that could be affected by these cuts. CA health […]
The 2025-2026 state budget released Friday by Governor Gavin Newsom’s office maintains key commitments in health care, including keeping Medi-Cal available for all income-eligible Californians regardless of age or immigration status, and continuing efforts to address the rising cost of care and prescription drugs. However, federal health care cuts loom large for millions of Californians […]
Health Access 2024 Legislative Scorecard analyzes how California legislators voted on bills that improve consumer protections and remove financial barriers to accessing health care for millions of California health consumers. With the addition of some contentious health care bills scored this year, less than half (45%) of State Senators and Assemblymembers scored 100%, earning the […]
Health Access California releases list of actions California has taken to protect consumer’s and our state’s individual market from harmful federal actions But even with this robust framework, much remains at risk if federal funding is cut or otherwise withheld SACRAMENTO, CA – Health Access California, the statewide health care consumer advocacy coalition, today released […]
SACRAMENTO, CA – Amanda McAllister-Wallner, interim executive director of Health Access California, the statewide health care advocacy coalition, issued this statement following the election of Donald Trump as President: “Make no mistake – our health care is in the crosshairs once again. The difference now is that the Affordable Care and the Inflation Reduction Act […]
Governor Newsom vetoed AB 3129 (Wood) that would have given Attorney General oversight on certain private equity acquisitions that may be harmful to patients SACRAMENTO, CA – Health care corporations have used their undue influence to yet again put patients in harm’s way by allowing bad actors to continue to interfere in our health care […]
As Congress considers making federal premium subsidies permanent, CA health advocates issue new reports on impacts by congressional district and region Reports also highlight what is at risk if the federal subsidies aren’t extended in the Central Valley and Riverside County, along with health impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act and the Affordable Care Act […]
Governor Gavin Newsom announced today the departure of HHS Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly after serving for over five years in the role and overseeing many major health care reforms SACRAMENTO, CA – Health Access California, the statewide health care consumer advocacy coalition, today praised the leadership of California’s Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark […]
AB 3129 (Wood) protect patients by giving the Attorney General oversight on certain private equity acquisitions in our health care system SACRAMENTO, CA – As private equity in our health care system grows, the California Legislature voted on Saturday to pass AB 3129 by Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Jim Wood to put more oversight on […]
Regardless of the 7.9% average premium increase for 2025 plans announced today by Covered California, the Inflation Reduction Act caps premiums at 8.5% of income, and even less for lower incomes. The Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) along with state investments, have continued to significantly reduce costs for nearly all 1.7 million Covered California […]
SACRAMENTO, CA – Health Access California, the statewide health care advocacy coalition, issued the following statement on the announcement today that president Joe Biden will not seek re-election. “Millions of Californians have health care coverage thanks to the leadership of Joe Biden both as President and serving as Vice President with President Obama. President Biden led our […]
Amanda McAllister-Wallner began serving as Interim Executive Director for Health Access California this week, taking over for longtime leader Anthony Wright who was named the new Executive Director of Families USA McAllister-Wallner has served eight years at Health Access, including as Deputy Director since 2021. She will continue our consumer advocacy campaigns at both the […]
The 2024-2025 state budget agreement announced between the State Legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom rejects most harmful health care cuts proposed in the May Revision. Agreement will ensure that thousands of undocumented Californians continue to receive their IHSS benefits, funding is preserved for the Indian Health Program, Medi-Cal benefits will be maintained at their current […]
SACRAMENTO, CA – Below is a statement from Health Access California, the statewide health care consumer advocacy coalition, on today’s passage of the legislative version of the 2024-2025 state budget. “Health, consumer and community advocates applaud our state legislative leaders for voting on a budget that protects vital health care services for millions of Californians,” […]
AB 3129 (Wood) would protect patients by giving the Attorney General oversight on private equity acquisitions in our health care system SACRAMENTO, CA – To oversee the increasing concern of private equity firms taking over health care providers, the California State Assembly voted to pass AB 3129 by Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Jim Wood. The […]