POLICY: Introducing CalHealthReform.org by Marian Mulkey

Marian Mulkey is a Senior Program Officer with the California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF). CHCF is an independent, nonpartisan health care philanthropy whose work focuses on improving health care in California by promoting innovation in care and access to information, so that people can get the care they need, when they need it, at a price they can afford.

Gov. Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders from both parties have introduced proposals to expand care and coverage for many of California's 6.5 million uninsured residents. The process as it unfolds may have important implications for the state and the nation as a whole.

This is an exciting and historic time for those of us committed to improving access to high quality, affordable health care. Yet a host of questions remain.

•    Who should pay for health care coverage?
•    What is the definition of affordable coverage?
•    How can costs be contained?
•    How do we ensure high quality in our health care system?

To inform the conversation over reform, the California HealthCare Foundation and the Center for Governmental Studies recently launched CalHealthReform.org, an online resource for news, insight and debate about statewide health reform.

Visitors will find:

•    Outline of Major Proposals Summary and full text of each of the proposals, including an analysis of the elements of each plan; status of the legislation; and side-by-side comparisons of the plans;

•    Myths and Facts Analysis of key issues that provide context for health reform debate;

•    Capitol News A weekly news digest about health care policy and politics in Sacramento; and

•    Forum A place for interested parties to share updates, research, and views about expanding affordable care and coverage.

Those interested in tracking and contributing to the health reform debate will find CalHealthReform.org thought-provoking and informative.  We encourage you to share your work and ideas with us.