Health Access California

10/07/2026

ICYMI: Last week Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 280 ( Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry )

This bill addresses an issue we've been advocating about for years: finding a doctor in your health plan shouldn't be so hard.

AB 280 helps streamline the process for health plans to keep provider directories up-to-date so that Californians can find the care they need, when they need it, without having to spend hours on the phone.

Read more in the author's press release: https://aguiar-curry.asmdc.org/press-releases/20260928-aguiar-currys-bill-fix-inaccurate-health-provider-directories-signed

10/01/2026

Your ballot is on its way.

Five measures on California's November ballot will shape what health care costs you — and who gets a say in it. Here's where Health Access stands:

✅ YES on Prop 3 — protects the revenue that funds Medi-Cal and public services

❌ NO on Prop 39 — voter suppression, plain and simple

❌ NO on Props 41, 42 & 43 — each one makes it harder to fund our health care system

With federal cuts already draining health care funding, California needs more ways to pay for care, not fewer.
Ballots start mailing October 5. The registration deadline is October 19.

Read more:

Health Access' position on key ballot measures in 2026 related to health care issues.

09/28/2026

“Do I eat, or go to the doctor?”

That's the kind of tradeoff Californians described to CHCF researchers in a statewide listening effort called Worried Sick: Californians on a Health Care System They Can't Afford. From surveys, interviews, and focus groups (in English, Spanish, and Cantonese). four consistent themes emerged:

• Difficult tradeoffs to afford care
• Anxiety, fear, and stress tied to rising costs
• Delaying or skipping needed care
• Distrust that meaningful change is possible

These first-person experiences and perspectives are vital for anyone shaping health care affordability policy in California.
Read more: http://www.chcf.org/WorriedSick

Explore health care affordability in California through insights about rising costs and impacts from nearly 4,000 Californians.

09/28/2026

“Healthcare almost has to be one of the first things that you [the governor] are tackling,” our Rachel Linn Gish said. “Let’s be clear and honest as Californians about what we want and what we value. We need to make policy decisions that actually help people now.”

Becerra says he wants everyone to be insured, but hasn’t spelled out how he’d pay for it.
Hilton wants greater price transparency and to redesign the marketplace, but it’s unclear how much his plans would actually help consumers. https://cal.news/4z3MsYh

📸 Greg Nash-Pool

09/10/2026

New federal public charge rules take effect September 18, 2026, and a lot of confusing information is going around. Here are the facts. 📌

Public charge is an assessment immigration officers make when someone applies for a green card. Starting September 18, officers may consider many more types of public benefits than before — including Medi-Cal. Benefits used by family members may also be a factor.

But two things that have not changed:
✅ Using a benefit does NOT mean an application is automatically denied.
✅ Public charge rules do NOT change who is eligible for Medi-Cal.

And public charge does not apply to all immigrants.

Know the facts before you make decisions for your family — and share this with someone who needs to see it. We encourage you to seek legal advice before making decisions about your coverage.

Follow Protecting Immigrant Families Coalition for updates.

09/04/2026

“It is not our goal to bankrupt a small rural hospital,” said our lobbyist Beth Capell. “But we are interested in penalties that will help to convince large, wealthy health systems and insurers that the state of California is serious about slowing the growth of healthcare costs.”

New penalties can fine hospitals and insurers up to 125% of their overspending, with enforcement starting as early as 2028. https://cal.news/4xb2Rsz

📸 Larry Valenzuela

08/20/2026

Too many Californians are struggling to find the care they need, not because doctors aren’t available, but because provider directories are full of outdated, inaccurate information.

That’s unacceptable — and it’s why we’re calling on the State Senate to pass AB 280 (Cecilia Aguiar-Curry) which is up for a vote as soon as next week.

We need your voice right now. Tell your State Senator why you need them to vote YES on AB 280 to improve provider directory accuracy by using the link in our bio!

08/19/2026

California’s Office of Health Care Affordability is working to slow rising costs—but their board needs to hear from Californians like you before they take an important vote in a few days to hold the health care industry accountable for their part.

Want to get involved? Tell the state’s Health Care Affordability Board how high health care costs affect you: https://secure.everyaction.com/5HKnhNe3LEy1FQCcjZz-Jg2

08/12/2026

06/10/2026

Health care costs shouldn’t grow faster than wages.
California’s Office of Health Care Affordability is working to slow rising costs—but they need to hear from patients and consumers.
📅 June 24
🕙 10 AM
Submit your comment: