It’s ‘Not Going To Be Unwoven Overnight’: Health Officials Taking Wait-And-See Approach On ACA
“If the president-elect thinks that he can eliminate some things while retaining others easily, he is naive," says Shirlee Zane, Sonoma County’s 3rd District Supervisor.
Santa Rosa Press Democrat:
Sonoma County Health Officials Wary About Obamacare’s Future
As the Republican-controlled Congress and President-elect Donald Trump declare the end of Obamacare, local health care officials and providers are taking a “wait and see” approach, some of them skeptical that Washington could so easily and quickly unravel a massive law that has been in effect for six years. Since the beginning of its implementation in 2010, tens of thousands of Sonoma County residents have taken advantage of the federal Affordable Care Act, which included a dramatic expansion of Medicaid eligibility that nearly doubled the number of local residents eligible to receive health coverage through Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program. The county’s community health centers greatly expanded their services, built new facilities and hired doctors, nurses and social workers. Hospitals, physicians groups and health care giants such as Kaiser Permanente adapted to significant shifts in how medical care is provided and paid for, with a focus on quality and health outcomes. (Espinoza, 11/30)
In other health law news —
Capital Public Radio/KXJZ:
Uncertainty For California Program Extending Health Coverage To Undocumented Children
Earlier this year, California granted all undocumented children the chance to have health coverage through the state's Medicaid program. Now, that opportunity may be hindered by the federal government's plans to change the program. President-elect Donald Trump has proposed giving states block grants for their Medicaid programs, which would significantly reduce the amount of funding from the federal government. States would have to re-allocate money or cut programs to make up the difference. (Johnson, 11/30)