Publications and Reports

Policy analysis, reports, and findings prepared by Health Access and other independent analysts, by topic.

State Budget

Cuts to Health Care Are Bad for California's Economy: Proposed Health Cuts Would Eliminate At Least 42,000 Jobs - A report showing how Governor Schwarzenegger's proposed budget cuts of $6.4 billion to California's health and human services systems, will have a negative impact on the state's economy. (March 24, 2010)

DAMAGE ALREADY DONE: A Report on the 2009 Health Care Budget Cuts Six Months In - An impact analysis showing that just six months after severe cuts in spending on public health programs went into effect, millions of Californians hurt by the recession are being denied the basic services they need now more than ever. (January 7, 2010)

THE WORST PRESCRIPTION FOR CALIFORNIA'S ECONOMY: Analyzing the Economic Impacts of Health and Human Service Cuts - This new brief describes the significant negative economic impacts of the latest budget proposals, especially with respect to health care. (June 19, 2009)

Health Coverage Impact of 2009-10 Revised Budget Proposal - Nearly two million Californians could lose coverage according to a report on the coverage impacts of Gov. Schwarzenegger's revised 2009-10 budget proposal (May 22, 2009)

Understanding California's Budget: Implications for Health Care (February 22, 2009)

Not Just a One-Time Cut: Permanent Policy Changes in Governor's Budget Would Deny Coverage to More Than One Million Californians (June 25, 2008)

Adverse Reaction: Proposed Health Budget Cuts Would Lead to Increased Health Insurance Premiums (August 14, 2008)

Significant Side Effects: The Economic Impacts of Health Care Cuts in California Communities (August 14, 2008)

Fulfilling the Promise of Health Reform

Health Reform 3 Month Status Report: Californians Begin to See the Benefits; Much More to Do to Fulfill Its Promise - A new report highlighting benefits already in place, additional benefits coming online this year, and efforts to continue implementing and improving health reform in California. (June 21, 2010)

Expanding Access to Health Care

The Bridge to Reform: How Can California Be Ready for Reform & Expansion on Day One, Through the Medicaid Section 1115 Waiver (Updated - March 28, 2010)

Recommendations On Access To Health Care - Health Access outlines three policy positions that would improve access to health care in California (February 25, 2010)

Health Access California Perspective: Proposed Medi-Cal Section 1115 Waiver - A report analyzing the draft concept paper on the Medi-Cal Section 1115 waiver offered by the California Department of Health Care Services, with changes proposed by Health Access as a bridge to national health reform. (November 17, 2009)

Will the U.S. Senate Choose to Make Health Care Affordable for Families in California? - A report by Health Care for America Now that compares the affordability of health coverage proposed in the two bills being considered by the U.S. Senate. (October 26, 2009)

Health Insurance Coverage in California Keeps Shrinking as Premiums, Family Costs Continue Climbing - A report released by Health Care for American NOW! documenting that health care and health insurance are becoming increasingly unaffordable for a growing portion of the U.S. population. (June 2009)

The Heatlh Equity Challenge - People of Color are Living Sicker and Dying Younger in California - A report discussing some of the key racial and ethnic health disparities in California and the United States, with health reform recommendations for addressing those disparaties. (June 20, 2009)

Resuscitating an Ailing Economy: Investing in Health Care - More than 500,000 Californians have lost coverage in the last eighteen months of the recession, according to this report about the impacts of the economic recession on the employment and health coverage of Californians. (May 2009)

Removing the Barriers to Health Coverage: Health Reform Can Make Coverage More Affordable, Available, and Automatic (December 2008)

Thin Protections: High-Deductible Plans Offer Little Comfort for Asset Poor Middle-Income Families (June 22, 2007)

Consumer Protection

Health Insurance Rates: Are Massive Increases Threatening Consumers? Testimony presented by Health Access California at the Assembly Health Committee Hearing regarding propsed rate increases by Anthem Blue Cross (February 23, 2010)

California Consumers Pay The Price For Health Insurance Market Failure - A new report released by Health Care for America NOW!, documents how the growing lack of competition in the health insurance market results in significant premium increases for consumers. (June 3, 2009)

Coverage When It Counts How much protection does health insurance offer and how can consumers know? A report by Karen Pollitz, Eliza Bangit, Jennifer Libster, Stephanie Lewis, and Nicole Johnston, published by the Center for American Progress Action Fund (May 2009)

Give Us a Sign! - A Report and Survey on California Hospitals' Compliance with Their Voluntary Guidelines on the Billing Practices of Uninsured Patients (September 16, 2004)

HMO Patient Bill of Rights (6.8 MB) - This report, Managed Care Reform in California: Passing the Patient Bill of Rights, documents the landmark HMO reform legislation enacted in California in 1999, and describes the content and some of the implications of these measures. (April 2000)