Healthcare ruling renews concern in California over patient access
- Share via
California’s top physicians group warned that the newly insured under the federal healthcare law may have trouble finding a doctor available to treat them.
James T. Hay, president of the California Medical Assn., said his group supports the individual mandate and insurance market reforms upheld by the court.
But he said “there are serious flaws in the Affordable Care Act that do not address the underlying problems of patient access to physicians that need to be addressed by Congress and the president immediately.”
State Sen. Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina), chairman of the Senate Health Committee, said in an interview that he shares those concerns about the millions of Californians coming onto the insurance rolls in 2014.
“We need to make sure we have a proper workforce to see these patients,” Hernandez said. “That is an absolute priority.”
Hernandez said nurse practitioners and physician assistants will need to take a bigger role in primary care.
RELATED:
State to lose big if court scraps federal healthcare law
Insurers say they’ll honor some of law regardless of ruling
Health insurers owe rebates to many California policyholders
Inside the business of entertainment
The Wide Shot brings you news, analysis and insights on everything from streaming wars to production — and what it all means for the future.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
