Medi-Cal

California’s first-of-its-kind Medi-Cal reform aims to help low-income patients navigate problems like homelessness, poverty and substance abuse that can harm health.

Other California health insurers say the special deal is unfair and could leave them with high-need patients. State health officials counter that Kaiser is a unique provider with limited capacity.

An institute of health technology assessment could measure the value of medical treatments to eliminate wasteful spending.

CalMatters is dedicated to explaining how state government impacts our lives. Your support helps us produce journalism that makes a difference. Donate now. Don’t ask Gov. Gavin Newsom about Democratic lawmakers’ proposal to create a state-funded single-payer health care system — he hasn’t read it. “I have not had the opportunity to review that plan, and no […]

A controversial bill before Gov. Gavin Newsom would fund crisis residential treatment facilities for children on Medi-Cal, steering more kids away from hospital emergency rooms.

Physicians and medical groups maximize their earnings by limiting time with patients and adopting abusive billing practices.

Assembly Bill 1368 will enable California’s network of resettlement agencies to get state funding to provide case management for people granted asylum and ensure that they get the support and resources they need.

In all California counties, Medi-Cal enrollees have been vaccinated at substantially lower rates than the overall population. Experts point to several factors for this economic divide, like the inability of low-income people to take time off work.

Our government can do better to promote public safety by prioritizing resources on expanding treatment and housing, not jails, for people with untreated behavioral health needs.

Three of the California governor’s boldest health care promises — including affordable medications and universal health care — have made little progress so far.