Calif. Governor’s Ambitious Health Plans: Newsom Wants To Reshape How Drugs Are Paid For, Implement Single-Payer System And Mandate Insurance
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) says he will also create a state surgeon general position via executive order and make California the first state to cover immigrants without legal status who are younger than 26 through Medi-Cal. Newsom did not provide details during his inauguration speech about how he is going to pay for these health care goals, though Democrats in the Legislature are generally supportive of his ideas.
Reuters:
New California Governor Tackles Drug Prices In First Act
Hours into his new job, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on Monday that could dramatically reshape the way prescription drugs are paid for and acquired in the most populous U.S. state. The order, along with another naming the state's first-ever surgeon general, marks a fast start for a governor who has vowed to combat inequity and position California as a counterweight to the conservative Trump administration in Washington. (Bernstein, 1/7)
Bloomberg:
California Businesses, Government Would Join In Drug Buying Pact
“No state has more at stake on the issue of health care,” Newsom said in a statement announcing the order. “We will use our market power and our moral power to demand fairer prices for prescription drugs.” (Armstrong, Tozzi and Griffin, 1/7)
The New York Times:
Newsom Pledges Fight For Equality As He Takes Over As California Governor
Mr. Newsom signaled the tone of his new administration moments after the ceremony concluded, as his office announced that he would sign an executive order to change how prescription drugs are purchased, consolidating Medi-Cal drug purchases and negotiations under the Department of Health Care Services. The administration said the intended goal was to give the state more bargaining power on behalf of Medi-Cal users. (Nagourney and Del Real, 1/7)
The Wall Street Journal:
California To Flex Drug Purchasing Power
Mr. Newsom also said Monday he would propose increasing coverage in California under the Affordable Care Act and lobby the federal government to allow the nation’s largest state to move toward a state-run single-payer health system. “In our home, every person should have access to quality, affordable health care,” Mr. Newsom said in his inauguration speech. “We will use both our market power and our moral power to demand fairer prices for prescription drugs.” An executive order by Mr. Newsom directs the state’s Department of Health Care Services to negotiate prescription drug prices on behalf of the 13 million people using Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program for low-income people. (Lazo, 1/7)
Sacramento Bee:
Gavin Newsom CA Health Plan Includes Individual Mandate
Peter Lee, director of the state’s health insurance marketplace, cheered Newsom’s plan, saying it would help keep California’s health care system stable and encourage people to enroll in coverage. “At a time of ongoing uncertainty from Washington, the governor is not only embracing policies that will lower the cost of coverage for millions in the individual market, he is also offering increased help to those who are struggling with rising costs,” Lee said. (Bollag, 1/7)
CNN:
California Governor Takes Step To Provide Health Care Coverage To Undocumented Young Adults
Newly sworn-in California Gov. Gavin Newsom took a step on Monday to provide health care coverage to eligible undocumented young adults in the state. Amid a partial federal government shutdown, Newsom proposed a budget on his first day in office that would make California the only state in the nation to provide coverage to undocumented young adults through a state Medicaid program. (Sullivan, 1/7)
KQED:
Newsom's First Act As Governor? Expanding Health Coverage
California already covers undocumented children through Medi-Cal until they turn 19. Newsom's proposal would extend that to age 26, which is a compromise with health advocates who wanted coverage for all undocumented adults. Because the Affordable Care Act prohibits the use of federal funds to cover people in the country illegally, the entire cost of the Medi-Cal expansion would be shouldered by the state — one reason former Gov. Jerry Brown declined to allocate money for this during his tenure. (Lagos and Dembosky, 1/7)
San Francisco Chronicle:
Gov. Gavin Newsom Throws California Into Battle Against Health Care Costs
Newsom offered little detail about how much the proposals would cost or what other changes would be needed to pay for them. Aides said more details would be available when the governor unveils his first budget Thursday. But leaders in the Democratic-dominated Legislature say there is general support for the ideas. (Garofoli, 1/7)
Los Angeles Times:
Gov. Gavin Newsom Proposes Healthcare Mandate, Medi-Cal Expansion To More Immigrants Without Legal Status
Some of the new healthcare proposals will be included in Newsom’s state budget that will be released Thursday and vetted in the coming months by the Legislature, when the details and costs of the plan will be reviewed. “These complex proposals require a lot of scrutiny to fully understand the consequences — both good and bad,” said Assemblyman Chad Mayes (R-Yucca Valley), the vice chairman of the Assembly Health Committee. “We agree on the goals of reduced costs, increased competition and better quality healthcare for all Californians. Government has an important role to play in holding the healthcare industry accountable; however it must be balanced and not overreach or hinder innovation.” (Gutierrez, 1/7)
California Healthline:
Newsom Comes Out Swinging On Day One For Single-Payer, Immigrant Coverage
U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who is working with Newsom, said Congress needs to pass a bill that gives states permission to create their own health care programs and still receive federal funding. While that request seems like a long shot in the Republican-controlled Senate, Khanna said he and other Democratic lawmakers want to start hearings in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives — in preparation for when there is a Democrat in the White House. (Young, Gorman and Ibarra, 1/8)
San Jose Mercury News:
Gavin Newsom Sworn In As California Governor
Newsom’s ascendance marks California’s first transition of power from one Democratic governor to another since 1887. He comes into office in an enviable position. Brown has left him with a massive budget surplus. He has Democratic supermajorities in both houses of the legislature. And he can claim a strong mandate after his easy win over Republican businessman John Cox in November’s election. (Tolan, 1/7)
KQED:
Here's What California Interest Groups Want To See In Gavin Newsom's Budget
After Gavin Newsom took the oath of office Monday — becoming California's 40th governor — attention in the capital is turning to the state budget, Newsom's first opportunity to officially lay out his administration's policy priorities. As the most progressive Democrat elected to the state's highest office in decades, groups on the left have high expectations for funding on issues like child care, housing and health care. (Marzorati, 1/8)
