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 […]