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Kaiser Media Fellowships 2011 California Site Visits
The first site visit of 2011 focused on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in California. In May 2011, journalists with a strong focus on health policy, state health reform, and/or California-specific policy issues were invited to participate in a week-long program. Based initially in San Francisco and later in Sacramento, the program offered journalists the opportunity to meet with a variety of stakeholders concerned with the implementation of health reform, including officials from the California Health and Human Services Agency, health policy experts, physicians, community clinic staff members and legislative staff. The program focused on a range of issues including the establishment of the California health benefit exchange, the state’s “Bridge to Reform” 1115 Medicaid Demonstration Waiver, Healthy San Francisco, initiatives to improve the delivery of health care and reduce medical costs, and projects addressing physician shortages in the Medicaid program.
2011 California Site Visits Agenda
The Foundation has a fact sheet from the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured that compares and contrasts key provisions of the California and Texas Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration waivers, while two other fact sheets summarize the health care landscape in Texas and California, including data on demographics, population health, the uninsured and the state Medicaid program. Also available are several existing resources on the two states and Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration waivers, including an issue brief that provides a focused overview of California’s waiver and another paper that examines key questions about Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration waivers more generally.
2011 Kaiser Media Fellowships Site Visit Participants
Sarah Kliff, Politico
“California hits $25B pothole on way to health-care reform.” Politico, May 10, 2011.
“California Dispatch: State Reviews Medicaid Cuts with HHS” Politico Pulse, May 5, 2011.
“Commissioner Jones: Go Big on Essential Benefits.” Politico Pulse, May 5, 2011.
“Healthy San Francisco Enrollment to Drop by Half.” Politico Pulse, May 4, 2011.
“ACA will reshape universal coverage.” PoliticoPro, May 4, 2011. (subscription required).
“The Firefighter Will See You Now.” Politico Pulse, May 4, 2011.
“Belshe: ‘Level 2 or Bust.'” Politico Pulse, May 3, 2011.
“Kaiser Permanente Sees Big Under 26 Uptake.” Politico Pulse, May 3, 2011.
“Is California still leading health reform?” PoliticoPro, May 9, 2011. (subscription required)
“Pulling Back the Curtain.” Politico Pulse, May 6, 2011
“Analysts: Insurance biz booms under ACA.” PoliticoPro, May 3, 2011. (subscription required).
Barbara Feder Ostrov, ReportingonHealth.org, USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism
“2014 Is Coming Sooner Than You Think: New Ideas for Reporting on Health Reform’s Rollout.” ReportingonHealth.org, May 9, 2011.
“Your Safety-Net Hospital and Health Reform: Questions to Ask Now.” Reportingonhealth.org, May 17, 2011.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS
“Is Affordable Healthcare Within Reach?” KPBS, May 18, 2011.
“County Launches New Health Program For Uninsured Adults.” KPBS, May 26, 2011.
Sarah Varney, KQED
“Medi-Cal Moving to Managed Care Model.” The California Report, KQED, May 31, 2011.
“Challenging ‘Unreasonable’ Insurance Hikes.” The California Report, KQED May 9, 2011.
Christopher Weaver, KFF Health News
“Medicaid Managed Care Expands In California As State Adds 1 Million Seniors And Disabled.” KFF Health News, June 2, 2011.
Jonathan Cohn, The New Republic
“California Dreaming.” The New Republic, June 4, 2011.
“Flu Shots in the Firehouse.” The New Republic, January 31, 2013.
Jenny Gold, KFF Health News
“Enthusiasm Rises Among Med Students For Primary Care—The KFF Health News Interview.” KFF Health News, June 15, 2011.
Amy Lotven, Inside Health Policy
“States Move To Create Health Reform’s Lesser-Known Basic Health Plans.” Inside Health Policy. May 9, 2011.
“Sebelius Mum On CA Medicaid Decision, Says Rates And Access Closely Linked.” Inside Health Policy, May 9, 2011.
“Lawmakers Revive Call For Federal Rate Review; CA Bill Could Turn Into To Ballot Measure.” Inside Health Policy, May 11, 2011.
“California holds 2nd exchange board meeting, eyes level 1 grant.” Inside Health Policy, May 11, 2011.