Health Care in California, October 3, 2024

Capitol Weekly presents HEALTH CARE IN CALIFORNIA, Thursday, October 3, 2024.

Over a dozen experts and elected officials will join us for our annual look at Health Care in the Golden State. In 2024, California has moved closer to the goal of universal coverage: as of January 1, all Californians, regardless of immigration status, can enroll in Medi-Cal if their income qualifies. But, even as the legislature and Governor move to expand coverage, the state’s budget deficit will force cuts to other programs. Will the spending targets from California’s new Office of Health Care Affordability limit spending growth as hoped? And, what impact will AI have in improving patient care?

Three panels of experts will discuss these issues and much more.

Keynote: Asm. Jim Wood in conversation with Rich Ehisen of Capitol Weekly

Attend in person, or via Zoom.

Click the links below to save your seat:

9:30AM – Panel 1: AI in HEALTH CARE

Artificial intelligence (AI) has huge potential to innovate and reshape health care. AI has the potential to benefit both providers and patients, with improved diagnostics, personalized treatment plans, robot-enhanced precision medicine and much more. Proponents of AI believe it will significantly improve the quality of care for patients – but how can we use these new tools responsibly? 

10:45AM – Panel 2: OFFICE OF HEALTH CARE AFFORDABILITY: TARGETS

The Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) was established in 2022 to move California health care toward a lower cost, high value system. In April 2024, the OHCA board approved a statewide health care spending target of 3 percent, to be phased in over the next five years. Beginning in 2026, the OHCA will be authorized to take enforcement action against health care entities that exceed the target. Can OHCA remake the state’s health care system by encouraging providers to focus on providing quality care at a reasonable cost?

Noon – Luncheon Keynote: Asm. Jim Wood in conversation with Rich Ehisen of Capitol Weekly

1:00PM – Panel 3: IMPACT OF BUDGET SHORTFALL

After a decade of surplus and an expansion of health care options in California, 2024 found the state facing a $45 billion deficit. To balance the budget, Governor Newsom proposed billions in spending cuts: some of those proposed cuts were walked back in negotiations with the legislature, but some programs will see significant reductions, impacting the health care of many Californians. And, a minimum wage hike set to affect more than 400,000 health workers has been delayed until October at the earliest.

There is no cost to attend the live event, but registration is required. Registration for the live event includes lunch and all conference materials.

There is no cost to attend va ZOOM.

Click the links below for more information:

Contact Melody Gere at Capitol Weekly, (916) 444 7665, for questions on registration.

Contact Rich Ehisen at Capitol Weekly, (916) 444 7665, for questions on content.

Contact Tim Foster at Capitol Weekly, (916) 612 2613, for information on sponsoring this event..

Attend in person at 1414 K Street, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95814, or via Zoom from anywhere.

Thanks to our sponsors:

CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION, THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE OF SOVEREIGN INDIAN NATIONS, WESTERN STATES PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION, PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA; KP PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PERRY COMMUNICATIONS, CAPITOL ADVOCACY, LUCAS PUBLIC AFFAIRS, THE WEIDEMAN GROUP, and CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS

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