The Sacramento region's rural hospitals carry a higher cost burden to serve aging, poorer communities. And it's getting worse.
Access to Care
After immediate treatment for a gunshot wound, Cristino Abarca-Martinez wasn't eligible to receive the physical therapy services he needed, due to his undocumented status. Hundreds of uninsured immigrants living in California face the same dilemma.
County health programs and federally funded community clinics generally make up the safety net for people without insurance. But when an ailment requires surgery or other complex treatment, patients are forced to get creative or wait it out.
Four years after Fresno County leaders earmarked nearly $6 million to meet the health care needs of poor residents, only a fraction of the money has been spent.
Underserved communities are gaining greater access to alternative therapies that were once reserved for the well-heeled.
While efforts to expand dental insurance rarely receive the same level of attention in the state as battles over universal medical care, the health implications are significant, experts say.
The Affordable Care Act has helped fuel growth in centers that cater to the health needs of disadvantaged children.
With health care leading much of California’s legislative agenda, a state program that connects people to health services has become a vital gateway for millions of uninsured residents.
Transgender individuals often face significant hurdles trying to navigate the health care system and access hormonal, mental health therapies and surgical procedures
Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent in California to inform people about their eligibility for Medi-Cal. But experts are now wondering: Once people are informed, what carrots and sticks can be used to actually get them signed up?