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Following his inauguration speech Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom released his health care agenda. In it, he outlined several strategies to expand health care coverage that are supported by CHA’s Board of Trustees:
- Expansion of subsidies for low-income families
- The establishment of an individual mandate
- The provision of coverage for undocumented individuals
While Gov. Newsom did, as expected, begin pursuit of federal legislative and regulatory changes to implement a single-payer system in California as a potential pathway to universal coverage, the process requires significant federal action, and that outcome is uncertain.
The governor also signaled that behavioral health will be a priority for his administration, noting, “We will stop stigmatizing mental health and start supporting it.”
In addition, Gov. Newsom called for measures to address rising pharmaceutical costs and for the establishment of a statewide leadership position to tackle far-reaching public health issues – both welcome developments for hospitals and the patients and communities they serve.
CHA will provide additional resources as details of the governor’s proposals are formalized.
Image courtesy of the Office of Emergency Services.
