California Advocates Push for Universal ⁣Health Access in⁢ 2025

​ ⁣​ Updated June 03, 2025
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A ‍coalition of California health care advocates and legislators has ‌introduced the Care4All California 2025 package, a series​ of ‍bills and budget requests⁢ designed to bolster the state’s health care system. The ​proposals aim to​ expand coverage, improve ​affordability, and promote equity ⁣without federal⁢ intervention.⁤ Supported‌ by over 70 organizations, the package addresses critical gaps in access and affordability.

The Care4AllCA campaign, launched in 2017,​ builds upon the⁣ Affordable ⁣Care ⁤Act’s progress in California. The 2025 package seeks to remove ​barriers to care, prevent coverage lapses,​ hold health plans accountable, tackle medical debt, and improve maternal care access. Budget requests ‌prioritize ⁣maintaining Medi-Cal coverage for young children⁢ and ensuring covered ⁣California remains affordable.

Amanda McAllister-wallner, executive director of Health Access California, emphasized the state’s need to‌ act independently.”Californians are screaming for cost ‍relief and a ​better working⁢ health care⁣ system, and these bills can meet those ‌urgent needs now,” McAllister-Wallner said.She​ added ⁤that the Care4All California package ‌requires no federal ⁢intervention and shoudl be adopted to safeguard the ⁢state’s health care system.

The 2025 Care4All California legislative package includes bills focused on:

  • Universal Access: SB ⁢242 (Blakespear) Medigap Protections; SB 363 (Wiener) ‍Health⁢ Plan Accountability; SB 530 ‍(Richardson)⁣ Medi-Cal‌ Provider Access;⁣ AB 4 ⁢(Arambula) Removing Covered⁤ California Barriers; AB 280 (aguiar-Curry) Accurate Provider Directories.
  • Health Equity: ‍AB 55 (Bonta) Freedom to Birth‌ Act; ⁣AB 403 (Ortega) Community Health Workers Medi-Cal Benefit.
  • Medical⁢ Costs: AB 1312 (Schiavo) Patient Debt Prevention Act; Budget Request for medi-Cal​ Share of ⁤Cost Reform.
  • System Support: ⁢Budget requests⁢ for continuous Medi-Cal⁣ coverage for young children,extending unwinding flexibilities,and⁣ reinstating Covered ⁢California premium subsidies.

Several ​bills have ‍already garnered ‌support in committee hearings, including SB⁣ 363, SB 530, AB 4, AB 55, AB 280, and AB 403. AB 1312 is scheduled for⁤ a hearing in the Assembly Health Committee, while SB 242 will be heard ⁢in the Senate Health‍ Committee.

“It is clear that we cannot⁤ rely⁤ on our federal government to​ ensure that Californians get the care that they and their families need, which is why it is crucial ​for ​California to take these ⁢steps.”

Amanda McAllister-Wallner, Executive Director of Health Access California

What’s next

The California legislature⁤ will continue to consider these proposals,‍ with⁣ advocates pushing for their passage to strengthen the ‍state’s health care system and ensure access to quality, ⁣affordable care⁤ for ⁢all Californians.