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Single-payer healthcare is a central talking point in the chaotic race for California governor. In a crowded field, top-polling Democrats are declaring their support for a government-run health system but providing few details about how they鈥檇 accomplish it in the nation鈥檚 most populous state.
Chaz and Jean Franklin were facing a sevenfold increase in their health premium payments with the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies for Affordable Care Act plans at the end of 2025. Then Jean received a crushing diagnosis that will claim her life but save the couple money.
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Progressives are assailing Gov. Gavin Newsom for proposing to pull back coverage for some legal residents, such as refugees and asylum-seekers, while conservatives lambaste the California Democrat for using limited state funds on Medicaid coverage for immigrants without legal status.
Millions of people gained health coverage under the Affordable Care Act, reducing pressure on counties in states that fund care for the uninsured. With federal policies expected to reverse that trend, county officials wonder how they will fill the gap 鈥 and who will pay for it.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have expanded access to hormone therapy, a top priority for the trans community. Advocates say it would have ensured continuity in gender-affirming care amid Trump administration attacks. Analysts say it鈥檚 another sign of the Democrat鈥檚 move to the center.
Biomedical researchers and patients are caught in the middle as the Trump administration continues its campaign to strip grants from universities accused of bias. Courts have restored some frozen funds to California universities, but academics studying brain tumors, lung cancer, and strokes worry their grant dollars remain a bargaining chip.
A lack of faith in the soundness of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention鈥檚 new direction has led states to explore enacting their own vaccine policies. A patchwork of divergent recommendations and requirements could result.
The Trump administration has pushed a significant amount of health costs to states, whose budgets may already be strained by declining state tax revenues, a slowdown in pandemic spending, and economic uncertainty. State and local governments now face difficult decisions.
Alarmed at Republicans鈥 deep cuts to health care and restrictions on reproductive rights, advocates are supporting California鈥檚 effort to counter a mid-decade gerrymander by the Texas GOP to pad their party鈥檚 fragile U.S. House majority.
With intensified immigration enforcement in California, community clinics serving Latino and immigrant populations say they鈥檝e noticed an increase in appointment cancellations and telehealth usage. But, as the covid-19 pandemic showed, accessing the necessary technology can be a challenge and virtual appointments can take a person鈥檚 health care only so far.
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California has put a greater focus on behavioral health workers, but a huge spike in demand, an aging workforce, and employee burnout continue to hamper mental health and substance use treatment. The state is tapping Medicaid funds to train, recruit, and retain workers, but it will be a long time before the impacts are evident.
A GOP tax-and-spending bill the House approved Thursday would slash federal Medicaid reimbursement for states that offer health coverage to immigrants without legal status.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said that he鈥檚 proud his state expanded health care to all low-income residents regardless of immigration status but that tough budget times call for some adjustments. The Democrat鈥檚 new budget proposes scaling back benefits to adults living in the country illegally, as well as charging them a $100 monthly premium.
Gov. Gavin Newsom was elected to office in 2019 on a promise of universal health care. He dramatically expanded coverage, but after six years, the Democrat is forced to contemplate deep cuts 鈥 including to the nation鈥檚 largest health care expansion to immigrants living in the U.S. without legal permission.
As California鈥檚 budget deadline looms, state Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson, a physician-turned-lawmaker, says state leaders may soon have to make some tough decisions on health care spending. With the state鈥檚 Medi-Cal program billions of dollars short, California鈥檚 health care safety net is at risk 鈥 even without federal cuts to Medicaid.
As House Republicans mull a massive $880 billion cut from federal programs likely including Medicaid, constituents, disability advocates, and health care providers are joining forces to lobby GOP members in California 鈥 including those who represent rural, deeply conservative pockets that stand to lose the most.
Medi-Cal, California鈥檚 Medicaid program, borrowed $3.4 billion from the state 鈥 and will likely need even more 鈥 due to higher prescription costs and increased eligibility for seniors and immigrants. The top Republican in the state Senate is demanding a hearing 鈥渟o the public knows exactly where their tax dollars are going.鈥
A state lawmaker wants health insurers to disclose denial rates and explain those denials as anger grows over rising costs and uncovered medical care. If the bill is signed into law, health experts say, it could be one of the boldest attempts in the nation to rein in denials.
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