This is a resource for uninsured Californians and those that assist them in enrollment to learn about county indigent programs and their eligibility requirements. (Detailed PDF) Most Californians get coverage through employers, through state and federal public programs like Medicare or Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California), or by buying a health plan with affordability assistance through […]
County Health Care Access for Uninsured Californians
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 […]
Anthony Wright’s Top 10 Personal Favorite Health Access Campaigns, Programs and Experiences
As I finalize my transition from Health Access California to a new national role, I am proud of the progress that California has made toward a more universal, affordable, equitable health system for all. I have previously posted my own top ten list of policy victories, from the biggest drop of the uninsured rate in […]
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 […]
Anthony Wright’s Top 10 Health Policy Accomplishments
As I depart from my role as Executive Director of Health Access California after serving in it for 22 years, I’ve been asked to reflect on what would be our top policy victories in that time. That’s a daunting task – like picking amongst your children – and impossible to rank. First, I must recognize […]
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,” […]
Health Access Letter to Governor Newsom Re: 2024-25 May Budget Revision
Health Access opposes cuts in the 2024-25 May Revision that takes needed health care away from Californians and puts affordability at risk. We’re happy to report that the California Legislature’s budget plan aligns with our priorities. Here’s what we wrote to the California Governor: Re: Response to May Revision of the Proposed 2024-2025 California State […]
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 […]
In Continued Solidarity with the Labor Movement, Health Access is Now a Union Employer
As an organization that has long fought for patients’ and workers’ rights in coalition with the labor movement, Health Access is proud to announce that we are now a union employer! In a historic move for the organization, Health Access has voluntarily recognized its first staff union, Health Advocates United – UAW local 2013. This […]
AB 3129 (Wood) Putting Patients Over Profits: Oversight on Private Equity and Hedge Fund Health Care Takeovers
Background Health care costs are outpacing inflation, taking bigger and bigger chunks out of Californians’ incomes and wages. More than half of Californians say they skip or delay care due to high costs. A major driver of these rising costs are health care mergers. As health systems and other health care corporations get bigger, they […]
Advocates Rally at the State Capitol in Support of #Health4All Covered California
Tuesday, April 9, 2024 Media Contacts: Rachel Linn Gish, Health Access California Communications Director, rlinngish@health-access.org Ed Sifuentes, CIPC Communications Director, esifuentes@caimmigrant.org SACRAMENTO – The #Health4All coalition rallied yesterday at the State Capitol for a more inclusive, universal health care system for ALL Californians, regardless of immigration status. While historic gains have been made in removing […]
Longtime Leader of California’s Health Consumer Advocacy Coalition Tapped to Lead National Counterpart, Families USA
As Executive Director of Health Access California for 22 years, Anthony Wright led the organization to win dozens of health reforms, coverage expansions, patient protections, public health investments, cost containment efforts and more, including the biggest drop of the uninsured rate of all 50 states following the passage of the Affordable Care Act. SACRAMENTO, CA […]
SB 1061 (Limón) Removing Medical Debt from Credit Reports
More than one in three Californians have medical debt . . . When someone has unaffordable medical expenses those unpaid bills often turn into medical debt that is included on their credit report. This damages their credit score and may affect their ability to get an affordable car loan or a mortgage, to rent an […]
Legislators and Advocates Unveil 2024 Care4all California Bills for Health Reform
Thirteen CA proposals announced today to get California to a more universal, accessible, and equitable health system, as soon as possible SACRAMENTO, CA – Today health care advocates gathered with legislative champions at the State Capitol to highlight important health reform bills in the 2024 legislative session. The thirteen bills and budget items featured as […]
CA State Assembly Passes Patient Protection to Ensure Accurate Plan Provider Directories
AB 236 (Holden), which seeks to improve the accuracy of health plan provider directories for consumers, now heads to the California Senate. ***Impacted consumer stories available upon request*** SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, the California State Assembly passed AB 236 by Assemblymember Chris Holden, which will ensure accurate health plan provider directories, and help consumers […]
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