Health Care Journalism

America’s Head Count Begins

Xenia Shih Bion

Stories That Caught Our Attention: Census data determines how many seats a state has in the US House of Representatives, shapes redistricting, and determines how federal funds are allocated.

US Supreme Court Agrees to Review Affordable Care Act — for the Third Time

Xenia Shih Bion

Expanding Health Coverage, Medi-Cal, Health Care Costs

Stories That Caught Our Attention: If the health law is overturned, most Americans will be affected.

Addressing Homelessness Is High on Governor Newsom’s Agenda

Xenia Shih Bion

Behavioral Health, Medi-Cal, Homelessness & Health Care

Stories That Caught Our Attention: The governor devoted nearly his entire State of the State address to California’s housing and homelessness crisis.

Public Support for Safety Net Remains Strong Despite Policy Threats

February 24, 2020

Xenia Shih Bion

Medi-Cal, Health Care Costs

Stories That Caught Our Attention: Why Medi-Cal is so important to Californians.

Twenty Years in the Making: CHCF’s Funding of Health Care Journalism

February 21, 2020

Steven Birenbaum, Sally Mudd

A thriving health care journalism ecosystem helps industry leaders and the public better understand complex health care issues.

Governor Newsom Appoints Bradley Gilbert to Lead Medi-Cal

February 10, 2020

Xenia Shih Bion

Stories That Caught Our Attention: The former health plan CEO comes to Sacramento with deep experience in transforming large health care organizations.

Public Charge Rule Could Erode Enrollment in Insurance Coverage

February 3, 2020

Xenia Shih Bion

Medi-Cal, Coverage Trends

Stories That Caught Our Attention: A Supreme Court ruling sets the stage for implementation of the public charge rule in California and across the nation.

Covered California Enrollment Deadline Looms

January 27, 2020

Xenia Shih Bion

Expanding Health Coverage, Coverage Trends

Stories That Caught Our Attention: The deadline to enroll in a health insurance plan through Covered California is drawing near, but consumers this week can sign up and avoid the new state penalty.

Newsom Budget Proposal Signals Health Care Priorities

January 17, 2020

Xenia Shih Bion

Health Care Costs, Behavioral Health, Medi-Cal

Stories That Caught Our Attention: Five key health care items in the governor's proposed budget tackle important problems, including homelessness, affordability, and behavioral health capacity.

You’ve Got to Hear This: Funding a New Health Policy Podcast

January 16, 2020

Steven Birenbaum, Jordan Reese

Serious Illness & End-of-Life Care, Maternal Health

If it seems like everyone you know is recommending that you listen to their favorite podcast, you’re not alone.

Assessing the Effectiveness of CHCF’s Health Journalism Grant Portfolio

Aspen Planning and Evaluation Program

For over 20 years, the California Health Care Foundation has funded nonprofit journalism to help strengthen the media’s capacity to cover health policy in California. The goal of this investment: to ensure that audiences have access to timely, relevant information about the most pressing issues related to the health care and policy landscape.

The State of Health Journalism in California

David Tuller, Heather Tirado Gilligan

Comprehensive news coverage of health issues in California is essential for health officials and decisionmakers at the community, county, and state levels, as well as residents seeking information on matters that impact their lives. The dramatic changes in the media ecosystem over the last decade have created challenges for news organizations. CHCF commissioned this report to assess the state’s current health reporting landscape.

California’s Surprise-Billing Law Influences Federal Approach

December 16, 2019

Xenia Shih Bion

Coverage Trends, Health Care Costs

Stories That Caught Our Attention: Recent developments in Washington suggest that a bipartisan solution for surprise medical bills is within reach — a development that may have been influenced by reforms passed in Sacramento.

Health Affairs’ Rural Health Issue Has Special Relevance to California

December 9, 2019

Xenia Shih Bion

Behavioral Health, Maternal Health, Workforce

Stories That Caught Our Attention: Millions of Americans in rural areas face significant barriers to care and in almost every state are burdened with higher mortality rates than people in urban areas.

Health Care System Accepting New Math: Housing = Health

November 18, 2019

Xenia Shih Bion

Health Care Costs

Stories That Caught Our Attention: The nation's largest health insurer is trying a new strategy -- improving care for Medicaid enrollees with complex medical problems by providing social assistance, including housing.