Advocates say California’s local health departments are likely to continue playing a key role in maintaining healthy communities, regardless of what emerges from the debate over national health care reform.
Both the House and Senate reform bills would increase the number of people eligible for Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program. In addition, public health agencies are likely to continue providing safety net care for vulnerable populations.
In a California Healthline Special Report by Pat McConahay, experts discussed how health care reform might affect California’s local health services.
The Special Report includes comments from:
- Tangerine Brigham, director of Healthy San Francisco;
- Marty Fenstersheib, health officer for Santa Clara County; and
- Tom Joseph, federal representative for the California State Association of Counties (McConahay, California Healthline, 12/7).