Universal Health Coverage in California: Progress and Key Policy Actions

Affordable health care is essential for everyone to be healthy and thrive. Having health insurance coverage helps lower out-of-pocket expenses and ensures access to preventive care, which in turn supports workforce participation and education. Using 2023 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) data, the California Budget & Policy Center produced fact sheets covering these five topics:

1. Medi-Cal Covers Over a Third of the State’s Population
2. California’s Uninsured Rate Reached a Historic Low in 2023
3. American Indian or Alaska Native Californians Have the Highest Uninsured Rate
4. Too Many Californians Lost Medi-Cal Coverage Due to Paperwork Challenges
5. Many Californians Could Lose Health Coverage if Premium Tax Credits Expire

While California has made substantial progress, challenges remain in ensuring health coverage for everyone. By addressing gaps in coverage, particularly for historically underserved communities, state leaders can continue leading the nation in advancing health equity and improving well-being for all Californians.