Health Insurance Health Reform 

Health reform 101 for Californians

Partner: 
Fresno Bee
Merced Sun-Star
Modesto Bee
Sacramento Bee
San Luis Obispo Tribune
Summary: 

Health reform will have its largest impact in California four years from now. But in the wake of historic passage by Congress, the health overhaul will have multiple immediate effects. Here’s a look. (Also published in the Merced Sun-Star, the Modesto Bee, the Sacramento Bee and the San Luis Obispo Tribune).

Impact Summary: 

Health reform will have its largest impact in California four years from now. But in the wake of historic passage by Congress, the health overhaul will have multiple immediate effects. Here’s a look. (Also published in the Merced Sun-Star, the Modesto Bee, the Sacramento Bee and the San Luis Obispo Tribune).

Results
Residents will feel impact of health reform right away
Emily Bazar, CHCF Center for Health Reporting | March 22, 2010
Millions of Californians who don’t have health insurance or can’t afford their current coverage will feel the impact of the historic health care overhaul almost immediately. From uninsured 20-somethings to seniors struggling to pay for prescription drugs, the changes kicking in this year will touch a broad swath of people. Small businesses that offer health insurance to employees will get tax credits. Insurers no longer will be able to place lifetime dollar limits on benefits or rescind coverage, except in cases of fraud. Parents will be able to keep their children on their health plans up to age 26. And people with pre-existing health conditions can purchase coverage from a federally subsidized pool.
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Results
Impact of “Health Reform 101”
Staff | October 26, 2010
“Californians Feel Swift Impact of Health Reform,” published March 22, 2010, in partnership with the Sacramento Bee and reprinted at the Fresno Bee, Modesto Bee, Merced Sun-Star and San Luis Obispo Tribune.  The single-day project marked a new model for the center – publication of a significant, meaty health story on deadline.  This story gave Californians an authoritative look at how the new health-care reform legislation would affect them less than 18 hours after Congress passed the measure. Reporter Emily Bazar was able to accomplish this by researching her story in advance of the planned congressional passage, then quickly completing it on deadline.  It ran on the front page of all five McClatchy newspapers in California.
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