Starting in 2026, California tortillas will contain folic acid to help prevent birth defects—a change aimed at closing a gap for Latina mothers.
Author Archives: Ana B. Ibarra, CalMatters
Ana B. Ibarra covers health care for CalMatters. Her reporting largely focuses on issues around access to care and affordability.
She played a leading role in CalMatters’ coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, following stories from the early days when California had only 200 test kits on hand, to the aftermath, as patients dealt with lingering symptoms and underwent lung transplants. She was part of a CalMatters team whose pandemic coverage was recognized by the California News Publishers Association in 2021.
Most recently she has reported extensively on the financial health of California’s rural and community hospitals and the growing trend of maternity ward closures. Over the last 10 years, Ana has also written stories around the rollout and influence of the Affordable Care Act, California’s expansion of its Medicaid program and state efforts to rein in health costs.
Before joining CalMatters, Ana worked as a reporter at KFF Health News, where she covered the Legislature and California health agencies. In her first reporting gig, Ana covered health and general assignments at the Merced Sun-Star. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today and other state and national news outlets.
She is based in Los Angeles.
Other languages spoken: Spanish (fluent)
Posted inHealth
What’s next for Medi-Cal? A former state health leader weighs in
‘What does the future look like?’: As California braces for Medicaid cuts, former health secretary to lead new commission in creating plan to protect care.
Posted inHealth
They want to be California’s next governor. Here’s what they’d do about health care
What will California’s next governor do about health care? Four Democrats in the race say answering the Trump Administration’s cuts and making care affordable is important. But they disagree about how to pay for that.
Posted inHealth
Health care costs and mental health access weigh on Californians, poll showsÂ
No surprise that the California Wellness Foundation poll found that nearly 80% of voters are worried by the cost of health care. Mental health access is a worry too – and immigration is worsening the problem.
Posted inHealth
A Trump order targets gender-affirming care for youth. California is suing to block it
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed suit seeking to overturn an executive order targeting gender-affirming care for people under 19.