Today, a new California legislature got sworn in for the 2013-14 legislative session, with new members, new margins, and a renewed mission to implement health reform and improve health care in general.
Both Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Assembly Speaker John A. Perez mentioned health issues in their opening remarks after being formally re-elected to their leadership posts.
In talking about the budget, Senator Steinberg specifically highlighted the cut of dental coverage in Medi-Cal as a major cut that was made in bleaker budget days–as one he will work to restore. He recalled going to a free dental clinic at Cal Expo, and see endless lines of people (mostly working families) requiring root canals and dental surgery, who had put off basic care for years.
New benefits of the Affordable Care Act come online on January 1, 2014, and the goal is to start signing Californians up for these new coverage options in October 2013–less than ten short months away. Thus starts a sprint to get California ready to implement federal health law and maximize its benefit, after an election than re-elected the President and virtually all Congressional supporters of “Obamacare,” and in California passed Proposition 30 that firmed up the financial foundation of state services on which these new reforms will be built.
The special legislative session on health reform implementation is expected to consider the new rules for insurers (including banning denials for pre-existing conditions), and the expansion of Medi-Cal. Much more work is needed at the Department of Health Care Services, Department of Managed Health Care, Department of Insurance, and the new health benefits exchange, now called Covered California.
That’s why we are excited about tomorrow’s SYMPOSIUM & HEALTH ACCESS 25TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT TOMORROW. To spotlight the legislative, administrative, and organizing work needed, Health Access is sponsoring a post-election symposium on Tuesday, December 4th, at the Citizen Hotel in Sacramento. While looking to the future, it will also be a time to revisit the past, as Health Access celebrates 25 years of advocacy. This two-part “Fulfilling the Promise” event will include a program and discussion to lay out next steps for California health advocates, timed right after a consequential election, and with newly-named chairs of key health committees.
Following the program at 5:00 p.m. will be a reception celebrating the progress we have made over the past twenty-five years with a short program to recognize key California leaders, including the recently passed UCLA professor Dr. E. Richard Brown.
If you can join us, we look forward to seeing you!