While it has only been ten days since the 2024 general election, it is clear that the outcomes of the election will be very consequential for health care nationally and here in California.
Over the last decade, California has been a national leader in health care and has made incredible gains toward equity through ACA Medicaid expansion and the significant state expansions and reforms of Medi-Cal.
We are just 20 days away from one of the most consequential elections in recent history. From the top of the ticket, to key Congressional races, considerable state legislative turnover and the ballot initiatives, there is a lot at stake for the safety net and Medicaid.
LHPC was an early supporter ofProposition 35, which will make the MCO tax funding permanent and dedicate a percentage of those dollars to Medi-Cal.
LHPC would like to extend its deepest appreciation to Secretary Mark Ghaly for his focused leadership at the California Health & Human Services Agency during the five most historic and intense years that any CHHS secretary has experienced. Secretary Ghaly’s vision for Medi-Cal has ushered in a new era for the program, which has seen tremendous change and progress during his tenure. I look forward to incoming Secretary Kim Johnson’s leadership.
Legislators are back for the last month of the 2023-2024 legislative session with a hefty list of bills to vote on and fast-approaching committee deadlines. The Legislature has some big decisions to make this month, several of which may impact Medi-Cal and managed care plans. LHPC is continuing to advocate for legislation that will preserve access to care for Medi-Cal enrollees by preventing the loss of maternal health care services,
Like many in the Capitol community, the LHPC team is looking forward to the summer recess before the final push until the end of the year. Before we all take a much-needed break, I want to share the latest from local plans.
This year’s budget required our state leaders to make many difficult spending decisions to address California’s deficit. The Legislature and Governor’s June 22 budget deal included health trailer bill language (SB 159) which swept many, but not all,
The month of May is always bustling with activity in Sacramento, and this year is no different. From the May budget revision to a flurry of budget hearings and legislative deadlines, the LHPC team has been covering considerable ground to advocate for the Medi-Cal members served by local plans.
LHPC’s top priority is to fight for reinstatement of the January budget proposal that dedicated significant MCO Tax revenue toward increased
As the month of April comes to a close, between legislative bill deadlines and the upcoming May Revise there has been a flurry of activity during this spring sprint. The Swing Space is full of lobbyists and advocates weighing in on bills and budget proposals, and LHPC’s days have been packed with hearings about key Medi-Cal policy issues. The LHPC team has recently testified on panels at budget and informational hearings on issues ranging from the Medi-Cal community health worker benefit, CalAIM, hospital financing, and the MCO tax.
This Women’s Herstory Month I want to express appreciation for living and working in a state with political leaders who fiercely protect and enhance critical care, services and supports for women. Local plans champion women’s health care through Medi-Cal, ensuring they get needed care, and are committed to advancing equity in maternal health outcomes, particularly for Black women. As the CEO for LHPC, I am honored to work alongside so many dedicated local plan leaders, including the eight women competently serving as local plan CEOs.
As we celebrate Black History Month, our commitment to health equity remains at the forefront of our mission to provide quality and accessible health care. Black Americans’ health outcomes are impacted by structural barriers and historically exclusionary health care practices. The generational impact of these disparities is felt within the communities we serve, and local plans are working to address these inequities head-on.
Happy 2024! With the new year, come many firsts in the world of Medi-Cal.
We are excited to support local plans in their sizeable expansion to 15 new counties, which means Medi-Cal enrollees in 51 of California’s 58 counties will be able to receive coverage through our member plans. With 70 percent of Medi-Cal enrollees in California already receiving coverage
As we approach the end of 2023, we want to take a moment to recognize local plans’ hard work this year to ensure their members have access to high quality care, advocating for policies that advance Medi-Cal’s transformation, and investing in their local communities. Local plans proudly represent the largest community-based, non-profit, publicly accountable managed care delivery system in the nation.
With our legislative work for the year concluding, I want to recognize the local plans’ efforts to support policy that benefits not just our Medi-Cal enrollees, but also the communities they serve. I also want to share deep appreciation for the hard work and dedication of legislative staff, lawmakers, and the Administration, who show up day in and day out to advance policy that will improve the lives of Californians.
As the legislature returns for the last month of session, September brings the heat – both outside and inside the Capitol. One of the most high-profile health care issues before the legislature is a proposed overhaul of the Mental Health Services Act. Both Senate Bill 326 and Assembly Bill 531 have passed their respective Appropriations Committees.
With July came a big change in our State Legislature. We would like to congratulate the new Speaker, Assemblymember Robert Rivas, as he takes the helm and tackles some of the state’s most pressing challenges.
For local plans serving Medi-Cal, this budget season has been one
of our most important in recent years. The renewal of the managed
care organization (MCO) tax presented an opportunity to move
beyond the standard MCO tax proposals of the past and develop a
new approach that makes a downpayment on equitable access to
care.
May has been a busy month at the Capitol! With the Governor
releasing his revised 2023-24 budget proposal and looming
legislative deadlines, there’s been a lot of activity surrounding
notable bills and initiatives.
With support from CHCF and in partnership with Health Management
Associates, LHPC published an issue brief highlighting local
health plan successes, and summarizing challenges and
opportunities during year one of CalAIM implementation.
The brief, Implementing CalAIM: The Local Health Plan
Perspective, will be featured in the CHCF Weekly digest, as
well as in CalAIM in Focus, CHCF’s monthly digest dedicated
to information and resources for CalAIM.
As we move into the busy season of this legislative session, the
Legislature has shown considerable interest in better
understanding and tracking the implementation of Medi-Cal’s
transformative initiative, CalAIM. The LHPC team has already
testified at several hearings and had productive meetings with
lawmakers and staff to share local plans’ efforts, commitment,
and progress in bringing CalAIM to life.
With support from CHCF, LHPC published the first of two issue
briefs focused on CalAIM implementation, “Local Plan Strategies
for CalAIM Incentive Payment Program.” The brief will be featured
in CalAIM in Focus, CHCF’s monthly digest dedicated to
information and resources for CalAIM!
Happy Spring! As we navigate through this transformative era in
Medi-Cal, I am pleased to share with you the ongoing work our
local plans are doing to serve their communities.
