Over the past 15 years, California has significantly expanded healthcare coverage, reducing the uninsured rate from nearly 25% in 2009 to under 10% today. The Affordable Care Act and state-led initiatives like Medi-Cal and Covered California played critical roles in this success. By 2024, California had become one of the few states to offer state-funded health insurance to low-income undocumented residents, targeting the largest uninsured group.
However, gaps remain, particularly for undocumented families who earn too much to qualify for state aid. Additionally, the cost of care continues to rise, with Californians spending more on health care than the national average. Although Governor Newsom campaigned for universal health care, the state only achieved “universal access” rather than a fully government-funded system.
The state faces fiscal challenges, with Medi-Cal’s budget now over $37 billion annually. Efforts to rein in healthcare costs are ongoing, including new regulations to cap annual price increases at 3%. Despite these advances, over 2 million Californians still lack health insurance, and affordability remains a crucial concern for patients and providers.
Medical professionals should be aware of these trends as they impact patient access to care, particularly among underserved communities. As costs continue to rise, finding solutions to expand coverage and contain expenses will be essential for California’s health care system.