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California is embarking on a five-year experiment to infuse its health insurance program for low-income people with billions of dollars in nonmedical services spanning housing, food delivery and addiction care. Gov. Gavin Newsom said the goal is to improve care for the program鈥檚 sickest and costliest members and save money, but will it work?
Reproductive rights groups and Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom argue that Californians鈥 access to abortion would be threatened if he is recalled. But a replacement governor鈥檚 power to restrict access to the procedure would be limited.
Efforts by states and the private health plans that many states pay to cover low-income Americans has been scattershot and hampered by a lack of data.
State lawmakers aim to expand Medicaid enrollment by dedicating billions of dollars in coming years to simplifying paperwork, extending pregnancy coverage and opening the program to thousands of new enrollees, including older unauthorized immigrants and people who need nursing home care.
The state will be the first to offer comprehensive counseling services to parents during pediatric visits as part of Medicaid.
In a sharp shift from Trump-era policies, President Joe Biden looks at expanding Medicaid eligibility to new mothers, inmates and undocumented immigrants and adding services such as food and housing.
California lawmakers are debating a bill that would eliminate out-of-pocket costs that often prevent people from obtaining abortions, proponents say.
Democratic legislators back measures that would end the 鈥減ink tax鈥 on diapers and menstrual products, provide mental health support, and pilot a guaranteed-income program.
With the introduction of a single-payer bill Friday, a group of California Democratic lawmakers set the terms of the health care debate in the Capitol this year. The move puts Gov. Gavin Newsom in a delicate political position, threatening to alienate voters as he faces a likely recall election.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom鈥檚 2021-22 budget blueprint would direct billions in state covid assistance to schools, businesses and the state鈥檚 vaccination effort. But he didn鈥檛 propose more funding for the state's 61 local health agencies, which have taken on increased responsibility for testing, contact tracing and enforcement of health orders.
Given the pandemic鈥檚 disproportionate hit on minority communities, two Democratic lawmakers are pushing Newsom to agree to offer health care to all unauthorized immigrants. They planned to unveil legislation Monday 鈥 and a new strategy to make it happen.
California has more at stake than any other state should the U.S. Supreme Court strike down the Affordable Care Act. Millions of people could lose their health coverage and the state could lose billions in federal money each year.
Health plans offered through Covered California, the health insurance exchange, will increase premiums by a statewide average of 0.6% next year. Health insurers reported strong profits in the second quarter of 2020 as their expenses plunged because of fewer surgeries and patient visits for non-COVID treatment.
Will Lightbourne, the new director of the California Department of Health Care Services, says government must address the racial disparities laid bare by COVID-19 and improve care for the state鈥檚 most vulnerable residents.
State officials had projected that 2 million Californians would join Medi-Cal, the state鈥檚 health insurance program for low-income people, by July because of the economic devastation wrought by COVID-19. Yet enrollment has barely budged, and why is unclear.
State legislators and Gov. Gavin Newsom have hammered out an agreement on a budget that rejects Newsom鈥檚 proposed cuts to health care services for older and low-income people.
Safety-net health care programs that keep low-income Californians out of nursing homes are on the chopping block as Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers attempt to plug a massive budget deficit caused by the COVID-19 emergency.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom charged into 2020 with ambitious 鈥 and expensive 鈥 proposals to increase health insurance coverage, reduce homelessness and tackle drug prices. Then came COVID-19.
Budget cuts in 2009, sparked by the Great Recession, eliminated many needed health care services, like regular foot care for people with diabetes to minimize the risk of amputation. The restored benefits also include eyeglasses, speech therapy and hearing exams.
California lawmakers are proposing ambitious health care ideas, from creating a state generic drug label to banning the sale of flavored e-cigarette products. Even though Democrats control state government, they鈥檙e likely to face pushback from powerful health care industry groups like hospitals.聽
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