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California Insurance and Health Information
Employer health insurance is the most common type of health insurance in California, covering 49% of the population. Medicaid covers 16% of the population and Medicare covers 19%. Nineteen percent of people in California have no health insurance. On January 28, 2008, the state Senate health committee voted down legislation which would have attempted to move the state in the direction of universal healthcare.
The California Major Risk Medical Insurance Program offers high risk pool insurance for people whose medical conditions exclude them from obtaining private insurance. There is a limit on the premiums that can be charged to people receiving insurance through this program.
California's Medicaid Program
The state’s Medicaid program is called Medi-Cal. Minors, pregnant women, and disabled persons who meet strict income guidelines may qualify for this program.
Uninsured minors who do not meet the stringent income guidelines for Medicaid may qualify for health insurance through the Healthy Families Program, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.
California has had problems with private insurers canceling health care policies when the insured files a large claim. Several insurance companies have been fined for this conduct. In February 2008, Assemblyman Hector De La Torre introduced AB 1945. If passed into law, this measure will require insurance companies to get approval from the Department of Managed Health Care prior to canceling any policies.
Health Issues in California
California scores well in the home health care field, with people who received home care reporting a decrease in pain. People receiving home health care were also less likely to seek emergency or urgent care.
Areas in California’s healthcare system that have potential for improvement and growth, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, are treatment of diabetic patients and heart attack patients.
Relative to other states, a low percentage of diabetic patients in California received foot exams and a low percentage of heart attack victims received appropriate medication promptly.
