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Network Adequacy

Legislation Introduced to Ensure Accurate Health Plan Provider Directories

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 […]

Uncategorized

Health Advocates Release New Factsheets on What’s at Risk for Medi-Cal & Covered California

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 […]

Budget

Health Care Access & Affordability Protected in 2025-2026 CA State Budget Proposal

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 […]

Scorecard

2024 Health Care Consumer Champions Revealed in Health Access Legislative Scorecard

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 […]

Affordable Care Act, Federal, Trump

New Factsheet on California’s Resistance to Trump’s Sabotage of Our Health Care System

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 […]

Federal, Trump

Health Care Advocates Vow a Renewed Fight for Health Care in CA

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 […]

Gov. Newsom, Legislation, Mergers, Private Equity

Governor Newsom Vetoes Major Bill on Health Care Mergers Allowing Private Equity Bad Actors to Continue to Flourish

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 […]

Uncategorized

As HHS Secretary Dr. Ghaly Departs, Health Advocates Praise His Leadership

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 […]

Uncategorized

Legislation to Stop Harmful Private Equity Health Care Takeovers Heads to Governor’s Desk

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 […]

Affordability, Affordable Care Act, Covered California, Federal

Covered California 2025 Rate Announcement

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 […]

Affordable Care Act, Appreciation, COVID-19, Federal, Health Reform, Prescription Drugs

Statement from Health Access on President Biden Not Seeking Re-Election

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 […]

Announcement, Appreciation

Health Access Welcomes Interim Executive Director Amanda McAllister-Wallner

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 […]

Budget

2024-25 CA Budget Agreement Rejects Most Harmful Health Care Cuts

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 […]

Budget

Statement on the Passage of the CA Legislature’s 2024-25 State Budget

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,” […]

Budget, Gov. Newsom

Health Cuts Announced in Governor Newsom’s May Revise Would Hamper Californians’ Access to Care

Due to the state budget deficit, Governor Newsom’s Revised 2024-25 Budget includes proposed health cuts that would prevent Californians from getting needed care. Thousands of Californians with disabilities will have home care services cut off due to their immigration status, resulting in further impoverishment and/or more expensive nursing homes. Millions of Californians on Medi-Cal may […]

Affordable Care Act, Covered California, Expanding Coverage, Federal, Undocumented

Statement on Biden Administration’s Expansion of Health Care Access to Dreamers

SACRAMENTO, CA – Below is a statement from Health Access California, the statewide health care consumer advocacy coalition, in response to the final rule issued today by President Biden to designate all with DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) immigration status as “lawfully present”, therefore giving them full access to health care coverage through ACA […]

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