Drew Weil

California Health & Human Services Agency leaders, including Secretary Kim Johnson, California Department of Public Health Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan, California Department of Health Care Services Director Michelle Baass & California Department of Managed Health Care Director Mary Watanabe released a joint statement on vaccine access & availability in CA. California has long championed vaccines as a cornerstone of public health. They prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death - saving lives every day. Backed by decades of science, vaccines protect individuals and strengthen communities. As part of this commitment, we are reaffirming that we will continue to follow the vaccine scheduled recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, rather than adopting the new federal schedule that reduces the number of diseases from which it recommends protection. California is committed to reviewing available vaccine science and following credible, independent medical guidance ensuring that every resident has access to safe, effective immunizations that save lives - and keep Californians healthy and strong. Recommended vaccines will continue to be covered by health plans, including Medi-Cal regulated by California, at no cost from your doctor, some pharmacies or authorized providers. For more info visit: https://lnkd.in/gaTmHh5p #StayHealthyCA #VaccinesSaveLives

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At the Southern California State of Reform Health Policy Conference, L.A. Care Health Plan joined fellow leaders to discuss critical statewide policy issues impacting California’s health care system.💬🩺 Dr. Alexander Li, L.A. Care’s Chief Health Equity Officer, participated in the panel “Closing the Gaps: Advancing Timely, Equitable Access to Care in California’s Health System.” He highlighted L.A. Care’s work in field medicine and shared strategies to improve provider access, support healthcare coverage, and advance equity. Charles (Charlie) Robinson, L.A. Care’s Senior Director of Community Health, joined the panel “What is the Future of CalAIM?” He emphasized the importance of preserving programs that address social drivers of health, and stressed that CalAIM’s future must prioritize California’s most vulnerable. L.A. Care is proud to be part of these vital conversations, helping shape policies that promote equity, access, and better health outcomes for all Californians. Read more here: http://spr.ly/6046AQpXs #LACare #StateOfReform #HealthEquity #CalAIM

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At the Coalition for Compassionate Care of California’s 2025 Annual Summit in Costa Mesa, CDA’s Office of the Long-Term Care Patient Representative shared how its model supports ethical, person-centered healthcare decisions for residents without a legal surrogate. This approach reflects CDA’s commitment to advancing practices that promote autonomy, dignity, and compassion across California’s long-term care settings. 📸 Poster session with Yarín Ascencio

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The future of community blood services is being built through partnership. Vitalant and San Diego Blood Bank have announced a strategic merger to enhance services and deliver greater value to hospitals, patients and the broader community. San Diego Blood Bank will continue its long-standing service to the community, with the added strength of Vitalant’s national capabilities in transfusion medicine, research and biotherapies. Read the news release: https://lnkd.in/eZznGpHB We look forward to welcoming San Diego Blood Bank to the Vitalant family!

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The new 2026 California Health Care Foundation Health Policy Survey finds that health care costs are taking a serious financial toll on Californians. This is particularly true for California's Latinos/x. Forty percent of Latino/x Californians delayed, reduced, or skipped buying groceries or other household essentials to afford health care, compared to 20% of Californians overall. #latinohealth #affordability https://lnkd.in/dwUQwH6W

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HCAI announces its new primary care reporting initiative with the release of an introductory brief, "Introducing the Health of Primary Care in California Annual Snapshot!" HCAI is developing the Health of Primary Care in California Annual Snapshot (Primary Care Snapshot) to monitor the primary care sector across the state, inform policy development, and drive improvements to primary care infrastructure. The Primary Care Snapshot will utilize existing data sources across HCAI and other partners to report on relevant, actionable primary care metrics and provide comprehensive public reporting on primary care in California. Introducing the Health of Primary Care in California Annual Snapshot is the first in a series of ongoing annual Primary Care Snapshot products. This introductory brief describes the background and context that led HCAI to launch the Primary Care Snapshot, a baseline overview of the current state of primary care in California, and HCAI’s approach to developing and implementing the Primary Care Snapshot. To read the introductory brief, visit the HCAI Health of Primary Care in California Annual Snapshot webpage: https://bit.ly/4qzw3Gx

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🚀 **Exciting News!** 🚀 Community health workers, promotores, and community health representatives (CHW/P/Rs) are essential to advancing health equity across California. Yet, despite their critical role, they have long faced challenges in securing the investment and infrastructure needed to fully integrate into health care systems. That’s why we’re thrilled to launch the Amplifying Impact Initiative — a new effort to strengthen CHW/P/R Medi-Cal providers who are delivering care through the CHW Medi-Cal benefit and California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) programs. Through this initiative, 28 CHW/P/R Medi-Cal providers will receive grants, technical assistance, and practical tools to help sustainably grow and strengthen the CHW/P/R workforce statewide. Together, we aim to expand culturally responsive health and social services while ensuring CHW/P/Rs have access to high-quality jobs that support their long-term success. Funded by the California Health Care Foundation and Cedars-Sinai, and led by health equity nonprofit Health Leads, this initiative will share live and recorded learning opportunities, promising practices, and impactful stories to support CHW/P/R programs across California. 🔹 Join us! If you’re passionate about the success of CHW/P/Rs—whether in California or beyond—we invite you to attend our first event and stay connected for valuable resources in the months ahead. Register to attend: https://lnkd.in/ggqyvbsY Let’s work together to amplify the impact of CHW/P/Rs! https://lnkd.in/e7GA6pZK #CHW #HealthEquity #CalAIM #CHWMedicaid #CommunityHealth Bright Research Group Tshema [Tesh-ma] Nash, DrPH, MPH

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