Health care for Californians is facing dual threats from both the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and the California state budget. It is critical that we defend Medi-Cal and marketplace coverage for the millions of Californians who rely on these essential programs.
California has long been a bulwark of progressive health policy, supporting Californians and providing a model for other states across the country. Medi-Cal is the nation’s largest state Medicaid program, providing free or low-cost health care coverage to approximately 15 million people in California, including some individuals who are undocumented. Coupled with employer-based insurance and California’s health care marketplace, Covered California, the State is the first to provide near-universal coverage. However, federal cuts are threatening the state’s historic achievement to ensure all residents have access to the care they need.
Medi-Cal and Covered California are both essential programs for the wellbeing of Californians. The federal passage of OBBBA (also called H.R.1) will result in cuts to coverage and funding that will strip health coverage from millions of people, particularly targeting immigrants, people with disabilities, and access to services such as abortion, gender-affirming care, and HIV treatment. Without intervention, the California state budget poses another serious threat to these programs. The people of California have made it clear that the safety and well-being of all of our community members, regardless of race, gender, disability, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity and beyond must be protected, including through state policies. With a decades-long track record of bold, progressive health policy, California plays a critical role in leading the resistance and building a health system that works for everyone.
Access all of our work in the state of California at healthlaw.org/california-advocacy.
Learn more about our federal and other state-level efforts to defend Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act at www.healthlaw.org/prepare/.
How Our Resources Can Help Advocates
NHeLP’s California advocacy team of legal and policy experts will continue to advocate alongside our partners and develop a wide array of materials, training, and technical assistance to help advocates, policymakers, health care providers, and community leaders prepare effectively for the cuts caused by OBBBA and by the state budget.
Our resources explain these threats, how they are impacting California coverage and access to care, and what advocates can do to protect low income individuals and families from barriers to care. Whether you are drafting comments on a proposed rule, educating communities about their rights, advocating for policy fixes, or coordinating a media response, our tools are designed to support you.
We will also provide resources specific to California’s unique challenges, as well as technical assistance and in-depth analysis to help you navigate these changes.
Defending Medi-Cal – Resources
Defending Medi-Cal – Blogs and Analysis
Stay Informed: Join our California Mailing List
Upcoming Webinars and Events
Registration links will be added to the calendar below as they become available.
