Urgent Policy Shift Needed as Medical Costs Surge for California’s Vulnerable

TL/DR –

The article highlights the unaffordability of medical care in California, particularly affecting minority communities. It mentions the story of Daisy Chavez, an uninsured Californian struggling with managing her diabetes due to high medical costs. The California Office of Health Care Affordability proposed a 3% cap on medical spending growth, which has seen opposition from hospitals and healthcare providers, while it is expected to help lower-income and non-white populations.

The Unaffordable Cost of Medical Care for California’s Most Vulnerable

Health care affordability is a major concern in California, particularly for the state’s most vulnerable citizens. Many, like Anaheim resident Daisy Chavez, who lost her job and health insurance in 2018, are unable to afford necessary medical care and prescriptions. For Chavez, managing her diabetes without medication led to feelings of powerlessness and further health complications.

About 1 in 4 Californians, particularly Latinos and Black Californians, report that they or a family member couldn’t afford a medical bill over the past year. This worrying trend stems from the rising cost of medical care, which has outpaced median salaries. The newly-established Office of Health Care Affordability in California has proposed a 3 percent cap on medical spending growth as a potential solution.

However, this proposal has faced opposition from hospitals and health care providers, who fear that setting a spending target could limit access to quality care. Affordable health care is vital for overall health. When patients can’t afford care, they often delay or skip treatments, leading to poorer health outcomes. A 2022 survey revealed that half of Californians avoided or delayed health care due to costs, with Black or Latino patients more likely to do so.

Delays in treatment often worsen patients’ conditions, further straining the health care system and driving up costs. Many Californians, especially people of color, suffer preventable health issues due to cost barriers. Tackling health inequities must begin by addressing health care costs.

With the Office of Health Care Affordability expected to vote on the proposed 3 percent cap in mid-April, Californians like Chavez – who once again finds herself unemployed and uninsured – may have some hope for more affordable health care. She has applied for Medi-Cal, California’s state health insurance program for low-income individuals, but expects a lag in care due to processing times.

“I have to assess my finances and figure out, ‘Is it worth paying for this medication, or would I rather use this money to offset my bills or rent?'” Chavez says. Her situation underscores the urgent need for policy change to make health care more affordable for California’s most vulnerable residents.

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