Immigration, affordability weigh on health care for Californians

from Ana B. IbarraCalMatters

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Californians are extremely concerned about health care costs and most want better access to mental health services, according to a new survey released Thursday. The survey — commissioned by the California Wellness Foundation — also found that beyond broader economic concerns, 57 percent of respondents statewide are concerned about federal immigration enforcement actions affecting some health-related choices.

“Californians don’t see health as one dimension, it’s really about overall quality of life,” said Shakari Byerly, managing partner at Evitarus, the research firm that conducted the study.

Nearly 40 percent of state residents surveyed said they know someone whose mental health has deteriorated as a result of actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. One in five people said they know someone who is afraid to seek medical care because of immigration activity.

Byerly said immigration is a bigger issue in the Latino community in Los Angeles, where 60 percent of those surveyed know someone who is experiencing financial hardships that are related to immigration actions.

“People have long come to California and stay here because of the California dream. Many of these issues go to the heart of what that dream means and what people still believe is possible despite the pressures and concerns,” Byerly said.

The survey is before forum on Nov. 7 at UC Riverside where 11 philanthropic organizations, including the Wellness Foundation, invited gubernatorial candidates to discuss their health care priorities. So far, former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former state inspector Betty Yee say they plan to attend.

Accessibility concerns are common

Nearly 90 percent of people polled statewide said they would like the next governor to prioritize caps on out-of-pocket health spending.

Although she was not polled, San Diego resident Lisa Kaczmarczyk, 64, agrees that health care affordability should be a priority for the next administration.

“Medical costs have been one of my biggest expenses every month for years,” Kaczmarczyk said, even though she is healthy and has no chronic illnesses.

Self-employed as an educational consultant, Kaczmarczyk buys her health plan through Covered California, the state’s insurance marketplace. She pays $502 a month in premium costs for an individual gold plan after federal subsidies, plus an average of $576 a month in copays and other costs not covered by her insurance, such as dental care.

The federal government shutdown and its aftermath could push those costs higher. Federal subsidies for market participants like Kaczmarczyk may soon change. Enhanced aid put in place during the pandemic is set to expire at the end of the year, and Congress has not yet decided whether to renew that aid.

“There are absolutely things I don’t buy. I prioritize groceries and medical bills.” The more she spends on health care, Kaczmarczyk said, the less she can put toward her retirement savings or things she really wants, like new furniture or a vacation.

Health insurance is essential, she says. but like half of Californiansshe has put off seeking any care. Kaczmarczyk said she is looking forward to becoming eligible to enroll in Medicare next year, hoping that will curb her health care costs.

The health priorities of the next governor

Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders said as much cost of living is a pressing issuebut legislative reforms to provide relief to Californians could take years to approve or take effect.

According to the survey, 72% of Californians said they are worried they won’t be able to afford to live in California in the long term. That’s a question the candidates running for California’s next governor will have to answer, said Richard Tate, president and CEO of the California Wellness Foundation.

Among 2,000 Californians polled in late August and early September, former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter topped the field of potential gubernatorial candidates with 20 percent of those polled. She was followed by Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco with 16 percent and U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla with 13 percent. The poll’s margin of sampling error was just over 2%.

In a statement, Tate said, “What voters want from the next governor is clear: affordable housing, health care that doesn’t break the bank, mental health support they can count on, and the ability to care for their loved ones with dignity and peace of mind.”

Supported by the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF), which works to ensure that people have access to the care they need, when they need it, at a cost they can afford. Visit www.chcf.org to learn more.

This article was originally published on CalMatters and is republished under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivatives license.