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THE CHCF WEEKLY
November 8, 2022
A CHCF report on the experiences of Black Californians in the health care system highlighted an ongoing need to increase the number of Black doctors practicing in the state. The low percentage of practicing Black physicians presents a unique barrier to addressing racism in the system and closing gaps in care in California.
In a recent CalMatters op-ed, Black UCSF medical student Wynton Sims shares his personal experience and ideas on how to increase the number of Black medical providers in California. He echoes many of the solutions from this Urban Institute report on diversifying the health care workforce, including the implementation of pathway programs, holistic admissions, diversity initiatives, and reducing the financial burden of higher education.
One in four Black Californians say they have avoided seeking care because they felt they would be disrespected.
From the Blog
Dana G. Smith A new Medi-Cal program uses small rewards to incentivize stimulant users to stay sober. |
Kiran Savage-Sangwan et al. A statewide coalition focused on community health workers and promotores is developing a policy agenda and public outreach campaign to support and expand this vital and often overlooked part of the health workforce. |
Recent Release
The latest California Health Interview Survey shows that the uninsured rate of 7.4% among Californians under age 65 in 2021 was not significantly different from the previous year. But disruptions are on the horizon: Many Californians will need to switch coverage once the federal COVID-19 public health emergency ends.
Upcoming Event
Under CalAIM, many managed care plans will offer housing-related Community Supports for people experiencing homelessness. This four-part webinar training series is designed for plans interested in learning best practices for implementation.
Stories That Caught Our Attention
- Can Peers Power the Mental Health Workforce of the Future? (MindSite News)
Peer support providers can help fill the gap in the workforce because their lived experience gives them insights that they can offer to others in similar situations. Related: In a CHCF blog post, certified peer counselors in Washington State explain how their program works.
- Expert Says Health Care Affordability Will Continue to Decrease in California’s 2023 Marketplace (State of Reform)
Increased enrollment in public managed care plans is a sign of their growing importance in the state health insurance marketplace. Related: More data on enrollment trends are available in the 2022 CHCF Health Care Almanac.
- ‘Medical Care Right Where You Are’: LA County Launches Mobile Clinics as Big as Semis (Los Angeles Times – paywall)
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services launched a system of rolling clinics to expand the range of medical care for people experiencing homelessness. Large trucks fitted with exam rooms offer primary and urgent care and connect patients with social workers. Related: A recent CHCF blog post explores other programs bringing care to the unhoused.
- Election Canvassers Want Latinos to Know Voting Is Good for Their Health (California Healthline)
Voter participation among Latinos/x continues to trail other groups. Their turnout in the 2020 election was 14 percentage points below that of the state’s eligible voter population. Related: See what health care issues Californians care about most, broken out by race and ethnicity, in CHCF's 2022 Statewide Health Policy Survey.
- FDA Panel: Pulse Oximeters Less Accurate for Dark-Skinned People (Axios)
The consensus that inaccuracies pose a distinct clinical risk for dark-skinned patients sets the stage for the FDA to further scrutinize manufacturing standards for the devices, which measure oxygen levels in the blood. Related: A CHCF blog post looks at the structural racism in the ways patient skin color influences diagnosis and treatment in the field of dermatology.
- There's a Big Disparity in the Number of Latino Doctors and Surgeons. Advocates Are Working to Change That. (NBC News)
Latinos/x account for almost 1 in 5 Americans but represent 7% of the nation's physician and surgeon workforce. "It’s a crisis," one Latino/x doctor said. Related: This CHCF article explains how the California Medicine Scholars Program is shepherding more students of color from community college through medical school and beyond.
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