Millions of consumers will feel the pinch when rates already expected to rise will jump even further. Federal subsidies, set to expire at year’s end, are partly to blame.
Author Archives: Kristen Hwang, CalMatters
Kristen Hwang is a health reporter for CalMatters covering health care access, abortion and reproductive health, workforce issues, drug costs and emerging public health matters. Her series on soaring rates of maternal and congenital syphilis won a first place award from the Association of Health Care Journalists. Her recent work has also been recognized by the Sacramento Press Club and Asian American Journalism Association.
Prior to joining CalMatters, Kristen earned a master’s degree in journalism from UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism and a master of public health degree from Berkeley’s School of Public Health. Her graduate student research focused on water quality in the Central Valley and uncovered chemicals related to fracking in drinking water wells. During the pandemic, she joined a team of graduate student journalists contributing to the New York Times COVID-19 data tracker and West Coast coverage. While at Berkeley, Kristen also directed and produced “When They’re Gone,” a short documentary on migratory beekeepers and sustainable agriculture. “When They’re Gone” won the 2021 Student Academy Award and has screened at festivals around the world.
Kristen is based in the Sacramento area. She has worked as a reporter in Washington, D.C., Arizona, Alabama and California. She cut her teeth as a beat reporter at The Desert Sun in Palm Springs covering education and criminal justice. There she also worked with a team to investigate the impact of Proposition 47, a California criminal justice sentencing reform ballot measure. Kristen directed a documentary for the Prop. 47 project that won an Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association.
Posted inHealth
How the GOP budget bill will affect the cost of California health insurance
In Mendocino County, over 4,000 residents have insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. The “Big Beautiful Bill” means their bills are expected to rise by 66% a month – low-income enrollees could see 400% increases.
Posted inHealth
Higher premiums and lost coverage: How Trump’s budget will change health care in California
Lower-income people will be the hardest hit. Over the next 10 years, 3.4 million Californians could lose coverage.
Posted inFood & Drink
Restaurants would identify food allergens for diners under proposed law
Doctors say the bill in the Legislature could save lives, but the restaurant association is opposed, saying it could give diners a false sense of security.
Posted inHealth
‘I’m really scared’: Elderly and disabled Californians with more than $2,000 could lose Medi-Cal
Health advocates say the proposal to reinstate the Medi-Cal asset limit would keep people in poverty; Gov. Newsom says it’s essential to cut rising costs.