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About Coverage

Every Californian deserves access to health care, the most basic of needs, so they can live fruitful, productive lives that contribute to the betterment of the state in so many ways.

Today, more than 93% of Californians have some form of health insurance, providing them access to care for wellness, chronic disease, emergency needs, and life-threatening illnesses. This is significant progress toward universal coverage, but more must be done to ensure equitable access to care, especially for populations that have endured far too long without care.

HRSA Announces Grants to Improve Maternal Health in Rural Communities

The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) federal Office of Rural Health Policy has announced a grant opportunity to improve maternal health in rural communities. The Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies (RMOMS) Program will test a network approach to improving maternal health access and outcomes in rural regions.  

HRSA to Host April 13 Webinar on COVID-19 Uninsured Program

The Health Resources and Services Administration will host a webinar on April 13 at 11 a.m. (PT) on the COVID-19 Uninsured Program, which reimburses providers for testing, treating, and administering COVID-19 vaccines to uninsured individuals. More information is available in a frequently asked questions document. 

Biden Administration Orders Review of ‘Public Charge’ Rule

On Feb. 2, President Biden signed an executive order focused on immigration policy. Included in the order are instructions to relevant federal agencies to review actions implementing the previous administration’s “public charge” rule, which allows immigration officials to consider legal immigrants’ use of federal nutrition, housing, and health programs – including Medicaid – in their applications for residency. 

President Biden Signs Executive Order on Medicaid and ACA Coverage

President Biden has signed an executive order intended to strengthen Medicaid and Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage by requiring the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reconsider several policies. In addition, HHS will open a special enrollment period for plans on the federal exchanges from Feb. 15 to May 15.  

DMHC Proposes Emergency Regulations on Patient Transfers

On Jan. 12, the Department of Managed Health Care proposed adopting emergency regulations on the transfers of enrollees per state or local public health orders. Once approved by the Office of Administrative Law and filed with the Secretary of State, the regulations will be effective and remain in effect for 180 days.

CHA Issues Summary of Proposed Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2022

CHA has issued a detailed summary, prepared by Health Policy Alternatives, of the recently issued Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2022 proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This proposed rule would update regulatory and financial standards applied to issuers and exchanges, as well as set parameters for the risk adjustment program. 

CHA Issues Summary of Finalized Health Plan Transparency Policies

CHA has issued a detailed summary, prepared by Health Policy Alternatives, of the final rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — along with the Departments of Labor and Treasury — that establishes several new price transparency requirements for non-grandfathered group health plans (those not in existence prior to passage of the Affordable Care Act) and health insurers offering non-grandfathered health plans in the individual and group markets.   

Price Transparency Requirements for Health Plans Finalized

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) – along with the Departments of Labor and Treasury — has issued a final rule that establishes several new price transparency requirements for health plans. The final rule builds on the finalized price transparency requirements for hospitals and reflects President Trump’s June 24 executive order.