Individual Market

Resource Page: Covering All Californians

Coverage Trends, Medi-Cal

California is in the midst of a critical discussion about how to achieve the goal of covering every Californian. To inform this discussion, CHCF curates key California-specific resources and analyses around the remaining uninsured and around policy options designed to preserve and expand coverage.

State Releases Data on 2018 Health Insurance Enrollment

Katherine Wilson

Coverage Trends

New data on California health insurance markets show overall enrollment changed little from 2017 to 2018, as declines in Medi-Cal managed care and the individual market were mostly offset by increased membership in employer-sponsored small- and large-group plans.

California Takes Historic Step Toward Universal Coverage

Statement from CHCF president and CEO Sandra R. Hernández, MD, on the 2019-2020 California budget passed by the legislature on June 13.

Affordability on California’s Individual Market Under the ACA

Expanding Health Coverage, Coverage Trends

This issue brief explores trends in key data on the affordability of health coverage in California, to highlight both progress and remaining challenges to affordability on the state’s individual market under the ACA.

2019 Edition — California Health Insurers

Katherine Wilson

Coverage Trends, Medi-Cal

California Health Insurers: Large Insurers Remain on Top provides a snapshot of the insurance market in California at the end of 2017. This Almanac report looks at market share, enrollment, financial performance, and consumer satisfaction.

California Lawmakers Consider Ways to Close Coverage Gaps

Xenia Shih Bion

Expanding Health Coverage, Coverage Trends, Medi-Cal

Stories That Caught Our Attention This Week: For years, the California Legislature has tried to ensure that all Californians have health coverage, and Governor Gavin Newsom has embraced that goal. Where do things stand in Sacramento?

Plan Choice for Covered California Consumers, 2017–2019

Katherine Wilson

Coverage Trends

In 2019 plan choice on Covered California remained stable. Similar to 2018, 4% of enrollees in 2019 had only one health plan (meaning only one insurer) to choose from. Ninety six percent had at least two, and 81% had at least three. The majority of enrollees who had only a single choice continued to live primarily in Santa Barbara, Monterey, and San Luis Obispo Counties.

Newsom Signals Health a Priority for New Administration

January 11, 2019

Xenia Shih Bion

Expanding Health Coverage, Medi-Cal

Stories That Caught Our Attention This Week: Governor Gavin Newsom aims to “move us closer to health care for all” by addressing access to coverage for undocumented adults, drug prices, the high cost of health care, and more.

Understanding the Governor’s Health Coverage Expansion Plans: A Reading List

January 10, 2019

Expanding Health Coverage, Coverage Trends, Medi-Cal, Payment & Financing

Between his first executive orders and his new budget plan, California Governor Gavin Newsom is putting his health care agenda into motion with important proposals to help more Californians get and keep coverage.

What to Expect in Health Policy Under a Divided Congress

January 8, 2019

Billy Wynne, Dawn Joyce

Expanding Health Coverage

Democrats have taken control of the US House of Representatives, while the GOP continues its dominion over the Senate. What will this "split Congress" mean for health care?

What the Texas v. Azar Ruling Means for the ACA and Health Coverage

December 18, 2018

Billy Wynne, Dawn Joyce

Expanding Health Coverage, Coverage Trends

A federal judge declared the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. Now what?

For Consumers Outside California, Open Enrollment Brings More Choices, More Confusion

November 2, 2018

Xenia Shih Bion

Expanding Health Coverage, Coverage Trends

Stories That Caught Our Attention This Week: After all the threats and changes to the Affordable Care Act in the past year, consumer confusion may be a key component of the ongoing 2019 open enrollment period.

ACA Reduces Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Health Coverage Rates in California

Coverage Trends

New data from the California Health Insurance Survey show that coverage in California remained stable in 2016–17. Of particular note is how the Affordable Care Act has narrowed disparities in coverage between different racial and ethnic groups.

In High-Stakes Game of Texas Hold ’Em, Millions Could Lose Coverage

September 14, 2018

Xenia Shih Bion

Expanding Health Coverage, Coverage Trends

Stories That Caught Our Attention This Week: A losing hand in a high-stakes legal fight in Texas over the validity of the Affordable Care Act could cause tens of millions of Americans, including many with preexisting conditions, to lose health insurance coverage.

What Might Happen in Federal Health Policy Before the Midterm Elections

August 14, 2018

Billy Wynne, Dawn Joyce

Expanding Health Coverage, Coverage Trends

Our experts discuss the current legislative and regulatory agendas in Washington, DC, and explain how the outcome of the midterm elections will shape health policy for years to come.