California Health Reform Fact Sheet
Implementing health reform in California is a challenging process, particularly due to the diverse population and fiscal concerns. Successful implementation of reform could bring many advantages to California residents. This fact sheet highlights some of the benefits and obstacles associated with implementing health reform in California.
California Medi-Cal Enrollment Data
Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program. Since 1966, this public health insurance program has been providing needed health care services for low-income individuals and families, as well as the low-income population with specific conditions such as breast cancer or HIV. Medi-Cal is financed equally by the State of California and the federal government.
California Health Reform Legislative Tracker
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) contains a number of provisions that could help California residents. This tracker provides a breakdown of key aspects of reform, when they are expected to be implemented, and how the California state government has responded.
California Demographic & Health Data
Did you know that the percentage of California residents who are Hispanic is more than double that of the national average? Or that California has almost 7 million uninsured residents? Did you know one out of every two children in California has at least one parent who is an immigrant? These are just some of California’s unique demographics, which can produce an especially challenging environment for health reform implementation. This fact sheet provides a breakdown of the relevant California demographic data, as compared to national statistics.
CALPIRG Outlines How to “Deliver on the Promise”
The California chapter of the Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) is partnering with the National Coalition on Health Care (NCHC) in public education and policy advocacy in support of sustainable health system reform in California. On June 16, 2010, the consumer advocacy group issued a new report, “Delivering on the Promise,” detailing the policy options facing the state government in the implementation phase of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).
For more information about PIRG’s health reform work in California, contact Mike Russo at 213-251-3680 x332.
Small Business Majority Amplifying California’s Small Business Voices
Click here to access SBM’s Health Reform FAQ
Click here to access SBM’s Tax Credit Calculator
Click here to access a calendar of SBM’s upcoming events.
State Health Policymakers Identify Key Implementation Priorities
The National Academy of State Health Policy (NASHP), an association of state health policy makers, has developed a toolkit for individuals and groups working on state health policy implementation. NASHP identified 10 aspects of implementing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) that states should focus on to ensure successful implementation. Among the these are a focus on development of the state health insurance exchanges, engaging the public in the implementation process, expanding provider capacity, and improvement of each state’s electronic data collection and reporting capabilities.