1. California's Role In Ensuring That The Potential Of Health Reform Becomes Reality.
- Author
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Belshé, Kim
- Subjects
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ECONOMIC competition , *BEHAVIOR modification , *BUDGET , *BUSINESS , *CUSTOMER relations , *DEBT , *DECISION making , *HEALTH care reform , *HEALTH services accessibility , *INSURANCE , *HEALTH insurance , *INTEGRATED health care delivery , *INTERPROFESSIONAL relations , *LONG-term health care , *MEDICAID , *EVALUATION of medical care , *MEDICALLY uninsured persons , *ORGANIZATIONAL change , *PATIENT compliance , *PEOPLE with disabilities , *PRACTICAL politics , *PUBLIC hospitals , *PUBLIC welfare , *SOCIAL marketing , *GOVERNMENT aid , *ORGANIZATIONAL structure , *ELIGIBILITY (Social aspects) - Abstract
The fifty states will play a critical role in implementing the Affordable Care Act, and California is one of the states at the forefront of reform. The act can provide coverage to millions of currently uninsured Californians and offers important benefits in terms of more-affordable coverage, improved access to services, and better health outcomes. As the paper by Peter Long and Jonathan Gruber in this issue of Health Affairs notes, the ultimate effects of health reform in California will be influenced by the policy and program decisions that state lawmakers and administrators make during the next three years. Key issues include revamping cumbersome eligibility determination and enrollment processes that could prevent rapid enrollment in expanded public health insurance-but also affording that expansion in the face of large state budget deficits. California policy makers need to move thoughtfully and strategically to ensure that the potential of federal health reform becomes a reality for state residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2011
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