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 […]

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 […]

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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]

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 […]

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 […]
New Federal Reports: What’s at Stake for Californians’ Health
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 […]
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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]
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 […]
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,” […]

Legislation to Stop Harmful Private Equity Health Care Takeovers Passes CA Assembly
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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Office of Health Care Affordability Takes Major Action to Rein in Health Care Spending
In a big win for consumers facing ever-growing health care cost burdens, the Board of the Office of Health Care Affordability voted today to set a 3% health care cost growth spending target over five years, with a phase-in starting at 3.5% in 2025. SACRAMENTO, CA – After a long debate, the board of California’s […]