Author: Sara Watson

Today, the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research conducted an informative seminar for Californians, titled “ What Can Californians Expect in 2014?: Analyzing our Future with the Affordable Care Act”

Dylan Roby, Director of The Health Economics and Evaluation Research Program at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research discussed California’s progress on the Medi-Cal expansion and the development of the California Health Benefit Exchange as the state prepares for full implementation of the ACA.

Use the link below to access the presentation:

The California Endowment releases “Dreaming of Health Care”, a video made in partnership with a group of Californian undocumented youth who are residents of Southern California and the Central Valley.

The video kicks off The Endowment’s #Health4All campaign, an effort to drive a dialog about providing a health care solution for the remaining uninsured. Estimates by the UC Berkeley Labor Center and UCLA Center for Health Policy Research say that even after full implementation of health care reform, more than three million Californians will remain uninsured with a quarter of this population being undocumented. The California Endowment proposes that Low-Income Health Programs (LIHP)—county-run, Medicaid expansion programs set to expire in 2014—be transitioned to provide health care for the remaining uninsured, including undocumented Californians.

Click here to watch the video.

The Affordable Care Act coverage expansions raise questions for State and County relationships and the future of county indigent care programs.  The Public Policy Institute of California has developed a very helpful presentation and has just released the following power point slides : Medi-Cal Expansions and the Future of County Indigent Programs

Photos from ITUP’s 17th Annual Conference and Awards Dinner are now available to view through the gallery below! Visit our Facebook page for more photographs and information!

The members of California Coverage & Health Initiatives will be hosting their annual Day at the Capitol award reception. Details from the organization can be found below:

On Monday, March 4, 2013, California Coverage & Health Initiatives’ members and partners will meet at its annual Day at the Capitol Award Reception in Sacramento.

The following individuals and organizations will be honored for their commitment to the health of California children by increasing access to quality health care and coverage.  The 2013 Champions for Children’s Health Honorees are:

• Lucien Wulsin Jr., Executive Director and Founder, Insure The Uninsured Project
• Dr. Bradley Gilbert and IEHP Staff, Inland Empire Health Plan
• Board and Staff, The Healthy Families Program
• CCHI Leadership Award – Leslie Conner , Former CCHI Co-Chair 
• Certified Application Assistant of the Year -Amy Gomez, Clovis Unified School District

ITUP congratulates and thanks all of the honorees for their efforts on behalf of the uninsured and to keep kids healthy by ensuring that every child has access to health care coverage.

A survey conducted by the Commonwealth Fund, found that due to the dependent coverage provision in the ACA, the number of young adults (ages 19-26) with health insurance increased to 6.6 million. This figure is significantly greater than the 2.5 million estimated by the National Center for Health Statistics and the 1 million estimated by the HHS’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation.

California state law stipulates that this provision must remain in effect, regardless of the Supreme Court’s decision on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, expected to be announced by the end of this month. This survey suggests that the repealing of the law would have a significant effect on the many young adults trying to obtain health coverage and struggling to pay medical bills.

The ACA allows young adults to remain on their parents’ health plans until age 26. Two surveys reveal that uninsurance rates among young adults has been declining. A survey from the National Center for Health shows 1M young adults (19-25) gained health coverage in the first 3 months of 2011. Gallup reports that the uninsured rate among adults 18-25 dropped from 28% to 24.2% between Fall 2010 and Summer 2011. HHS secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, stated, “It’s clear that the new health reform law is making a real difference in the lives of moms, dads, sons and daughters.”

The Gallup poll results are available online.

California’s Mental Health System: Aligning California’s physical and mental health services to strengthen the state’s capacity for federal coverage expansion

Abstract
This report will analyze the delivery of mental health services in California and will investigate the potential impacts of federal health reform legislation on the State and counties. California has operated successful mental health pilots where physical health has become more integrated with mental health. Results from these pilot programs will also be discussed, in addition to policy challenges and recommendations.

Introduction
The World Health Organization defines mental health as a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. Determinants of mental health include multiple social, psychological, and biological factors that influence the level of mental health of a person throughout his or her life.

The California Department of Mental Health reports approximately 2 million people in California suffer from severe mental illness or a severe emotional disorder, which comprises almost 7 percent of the population. The need for mental health care is very common in California, where 1 in 5 people report the need for such services. This means that more than four million Californians may be at risk for distress, pain, disability, and death associated with mental disorders. The unmet need for mental and behavioral health services is greatest among underserved groups, including elderly persons, racial/ethnic minorities, those with low incomes, those without health insurance, and residents of rural areas. As a result the health and wellness of the individual is jeopardized and the effects to society spread across communities, schools, businesses, prisons and jails, and healthcare delivery systems.

In the United States, and specifically in California, policy formation has been guided by the community’s perception and acceptance of those who suffer from mental illness. Expanding and improving mental health care and coverage is largely decided through public support and recognition that mental illness can be treatable and preventable. Studies continue to show that early identification and treatment can help prevent the onset of disease, decrease rates of chronic disease, and help people lead longer, healthier lives.

Policy provisions in the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) will require that health insurance plans offer equal physical and behavioral health coverage, including mental health and substance abuse services, starting 2014. Upon full implementation of healthcare reform, approximately 235,000 Californians with mental illness or addiction disorders will have new coverage through Medi-Cal or the Exchange. Building on ongoing State efforts to reform health care, the ACA and §1115 Waiver will provide California with new tools, flexibility, and resources to provide better mental health care coverage.

Read the full report at the link below:
Mental Health Report.pdf

A briefing on coverage options for California’s farmworkers