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Federal Changes to Health Care Hit California in the Form of Higher Insurance Premiums

Federal attempts to undermine the Affordable Care Act will ratchet up California’s health insurance premiums next year, but the spike is below last year’s increase and premium hikes projected for many other states.

On average, premium increases for Covered California health insurance plans and those on the individual market will rise 9 percent in 2019, according to officials with the state’s health insurance exchange. That’s less than the 12.5 percent increase in 2018, but still more than double the region’s rate of inflation.

Few Low-Income Children Get Mental Health Care in California, Despite Need

By Claudia Boyd-Barrett

In California, the state’s key program for providing mental health treatment to low-income children and youth under age 21 serves just a fraction of those estimated to need help, statistics show. And while the pool of children potentially eligible for these services has expanded under the Affordable Care Act, the percentage of kids actually receiving help has declined since 2010, a California Health Report analysis has found.

Doctor’s Notes: At this Preschool for Traumatized Kids, Emotional Care Comes First, Then Academics

By ChrisAnna Mink

The Children’s Institute building on Harbor-UCLA’s campus is surrounded by playgrounds. The inside is decorated in lively colors, and it’s neatly cluttered with toys and children. It looks like Crayola designed a home inviting visitors to come play.

Many of the children here have been expelled from regular preschool.

Lifestyle Medicine Can Address Diabetes Disparities

By Terry Gilliland

We can minimize the harmful effects of health disparities by designing programs that offer accessible, evidence-based interventions that empower people. A new approach to medicine—that takes into account a person’s way of life, culture and neighborhood—is helping.

San Francisco Takes Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder to the Streets

By Fran Kritz

San Francisco’s street medicine team brings doctors and other health professionals directly to people living on the streets to hear their stories and earn their trust. They provide as many services as the person will accept, from housing and food to medication and medical treatment, including addiction treatment.

Budget Boosts Funding for Programs Benefiting Low-Income Families

By Claudia Boyd-Barrett

Advocates for young children are applauding the state’s budget plans for next fiscal year, which include millions of dollars for programs that help low-income parents and kids.

The $200-billion spending plan, which Gov. Jerry Brown is expected to sign into law, increases funding for cash assistance to poor families, launches a statewide home visiting program for new parents on welfare, and makes available more than 13,000 new vouchers to help low-income families pay for child care.

New Report on Palliative Care Finds Big Increase in Services Throughout California

By Fran Kritz

More Californians are participating in palliative care programs, but the need still outpaces the supply, according to a new report.

A mapping project just released by the California Healthcare Foundation found significant progress in the number of programs and participants participating in palliative care services compared to four years ago.

California Moves Forward on Health Bills to Counteract Trump Policies

By Claudia Boyd-Barrett

Lawmakers are considering several bills this month aimed at stabilizing California’s health insurance marketplace, despite a state budget deal that effectively killed other, more expensive proposals. Several bills take aim at efforts by the Trump administration to weaken provisions of the Affordable Care Act.

California Advocates Outraged by Health Proposals Cut From Budget at 11th Hour

By Claudia Boyd-Barrett

Health advocates are decrying the budget deal reached between Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders last week, calling it a missed opportunity to improve health care access for struggling Californians.

Health Care for Low-Income Californians, Homeless Patients a Focus in Upcoming Bills

By Claudia Boyd-Barrett

The legislature is expected to vote this month on three bills that seek to safeguard and improve the health of Californian residents. The bills take aim at health disparities among people covered by the state’s low-income health program known as Medi-Cal and the improper discharge of homeless patients from the hospital.

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