After Fervently Embracing Obamacare, California Worries About Future Of Medicaid Expansion
Enrollment in the state's Medicaid program, called Medi-Cal, spiraled by 5 million through the federal health law, and officials are warily watching for signs of the GOP plan to revamp the law. Other outlets also look at what's at stake in California if the health law is dismantled.
Los Angeles Times:
13.5 Million Californians Are Covered By Medi-Cal. Here'S How Trump's Plan Could Cost The State
Along with his vow to repeal Obamacare, President-elect Donald Trump has promised to restructure Medicaid, the nation’s low-income health program — a move that could be acutely felt in California, where 1 in 3 residents receive health coverage through the state version, experts say. Medi-Cal enrollment surged by 5 million over the last three years to a total of 13.5 million under President Obama’s Affordable Care Act. (Karlamangla, 1/16)
Mercury News:
California Vs. Trump: What's At Stake For The Golden State?
But health care experts around the state say California has plenty to lose if ‘Obamacare’ is eliminated and the GOP doesn’t enact an effective alternative. They note that premium price hikes in California have been moderate compared to much of the country and that the Golden State has reduced its uninsured rate from nearly 19 percent in 2010 to 8.6 percent in 2015 — the biggest drop of any state in the nation over the last three years. At least 5 million Californians are now insured — including 3.7 million, or 1 in 3 Californians — through a provision in the law that allows adults without children to enroll in Medi-Cal, the state’s health care plan for poor. Another 1.2 million are enrolled in private health plans through Covered California, the state’s insurance exchange — most of them receiving government subsidies that keep their costs down. (Murphy, Rogers, Sanchez, and Seipel, 1/14)
Los Angeles Times:
Gov. Jerry Brown Warns Of Major Ripple Effects In California If Obamacare Is Repealed
Gov. Jerry Brown issued a terse but pointed response Friday to House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy's request for input on repealing the Affordable Care Act, warning of spiraling damage to healthcare coverage, premium costs and the state budget. Brown's letter to McCarthy argued that repealing Obamacare without an alternative plan would lead to instability in the commercial insurance market. He also warned of returning to an era where emergency room care is a fallback for many. (Mason, 1/13)
Santa Rosa Press Democrat:
Study: Obamacare Repeal To Cost Sonoma County 2,000 Jobs, $200M
If lawmakers successfully sink the law, they could eliminate a source of health insurance for more than 35,000 Sonoma County residents — like Tighe — cost the county 2,000 jobs and saddle it with an economic loss of nearly $200 million, according to University of California health care researchers. Patients would lose access to preventive care, treatment for acute and chronic conditions, as well as mental health services and dental care, local public health officials said. (Kovner, 1/13)
Ventura County Star:
Obamacare Repeal Could Cost Jobs In Ventura County
Repealing the Affordable Care Act could take away 4,000 jobs from Ventura County and cost $331 million in lost goods and services, according to University of California, Berkeley, researchers. Hospitals, clinics and other health entities that met the flood of 55,000 uninsured Ventura County residents who gained coverage through the health care law would absorb more than 70 percent of the job loss. (Kisken, 1/13)