People waiting in line in Covina for the one-shot Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. (Photo: Ringo Chiu, via Shutterstock)OPINION: California is gearing up to make history. The state will achieve near universal health coverage in 2024 by expanding Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program, to all income-eligible Californians. Immigration status will no longer be an obstacle.
Personnel at the Sacramento Native American Health Center. (Photo: SNAHC)OPINION: Amid the ongoing health crisis, California’s Medi-Cal Rx transition threatens the stability of over 1,300 community health centers that serve more than 7.2 million people throughout the state. In a noble attempt to discount rising prescription drug prices, a huge gap in savings is created for community health centers. Ironically, the transition disproportionately impacts the very same people it aims to help: California’s diverse population.
A medical practitioner checks the blood pressure on an older patient. (Photo: Alexander Raths, via Shutterstock)As California contends with a shortage of primary care doctors, some legislators are pushing to have nurse practitioners fill in the gaps. Assembly Bill 890, which is now headed to the Senate, would remove the requirement that nurse practitioners practice under a physician’s supervision.
Health care workers in a hospital corridor. (Photo: Pixel-Shot, via Shutterstock)OPINION: California has a healthcare workforce crisis. Over the next decade, this state’s 39 million residents face a health worker shortfall of 4,100 primary care physicians and 600,000 home care workers, and we will have only two-thirds of the psychiatrists and mental health providers needed.