Here you can explore some common notions about the complex health care delivery and finance environment. To offer feedback or suggest a topic for another myth, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
 

Does federal ERISA constrain California's health reform policy options?
Until a court (ultimately, the U.S. Supreme Court) decides on a particular case, it is not possible to predict with certainty whether ERISA preempts a specific state law. More

Do Medicaid and SCHIP provide a secure foundation for expanded health coverage in California?
Not necessarily. Federal policy changes can impact California’s ability to expand health coverage through these state-federal programs. More

Is an individual mandate necessary to attain universal coverage?
Yes, but universality must be weighed against other goals such as choice, fairness, and affordability. More

Are undocumented residents a major drain on public and private health care resources?
No. Undocumented Californians make up a smaller share of the uninsured than some assume. More

Don't most low-income Californians already have access to the care they need through Medi-Cal?
No. Many are ineligible, and those who are eligible often experience difficulty enrolling. Also, enrollees often have trouble accessing the care they need. More

Do the uninsured get care when they need it?
No. Uninsured Californians consistently have difficulty accessing needed care and are more likely to have worse health outcomes. More

Does having coverage ensure access to care?
No. Health insurance coverage facilitates, but does not ensure, appropriate access to care. More

Could the uninsured buy insurance?
Not necessarily. Today, California’s individual market is a viable choice for only a subset of the uninsured. More

Would expanding health coverage ease emergency department overcrowding and reduce spending?
Not directly. Until care becomes more convenient, both insured and uninsured Californians will continue to use the ED for non-urgent care. More

Would voluntary purchasing pools lower health insurance premiums?
Not necessarily. Economies of scale and leverage with health plans are achievable only if the pool’s enrollment is large, stable, and mandatory. More

Would eliminating the uncompensated care cost shift reduce overall spending?
No. Reducing total health spending would require additional efforts, but addressing the cost shift may make costs more transparent and address some inequities. More

Would providing more information about health care costs and quality improve patients’ decisions?
Not necessarily. In addition to information, consumers need support tools that simplify the decision-making process and guide them through value-based choices. More

Does investing in prevention reduce health care spending?
Not necessarily. But many preventive measures do provide value. More