Some California hospitals have a nurse vacancy rate of 30%, stressing overworked staff and causing some to leave the industry earlier than they planned.
Covered California will waive deductibles for many patients, and continue generous subsidies, but a projected 9.6% rate hike signals that runaway health care costs are back after five years of low premium increases.
With some Medi-Cal enrollees no longer qualifying or unaware they need to renew their coverage, officials estimate 2 million to 3 million people could lose their health insurance.
California set up a fund to cut out-of-pocket costs for those enrolled in Covered California, but Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget shifts that money to other expenses.
State legislators last week killed dozens of bills, including some controversial proposals on health care costs, social media regulation, pay transparency, climate change and much, more more.
Supervisors voted unanimously to give $3 million to a Planned Parenthood office in San Jose to help expand its medical and reproductive care services n anticipation of an increase in women both in the county and from other states seeking abortion services.
The California Legislature has approved several Medi-Cal budget items that would remove barriers to care, such as the asset rule. Now it’s negotiating with the governor.