Health Care Costs/Affordability

Our work in health care costs and affordability addresses the financial burden of care on Californians. We analyze spending trends and promote solutions that reduce costs while maintaining quality, particularly for Californians with low income.

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Knowledge Center

The 25% Problem: Why Health Care Is So Expensive (And What We Can Do About It)

Health care costs hurt Californians every day. Millions can’t afford the care they need. More than half of all Californians skip or delay getting care because it costs too much. How did we get here?

Health Care Costs/Affordability
Vickie Villegas sits in the waiting room at the West Coast Neurology office in Pasadena on April 24, 2024. She has faced steep health care costs since she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Photo by Brandon Tauszik for CalMatters sits in the waiting room at the West Coast Neurology office in Pasadena on April 24, 2024. She has faced steep health care costs since she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Photo by Brandon Tauszik for CalMatters

California’s Cap on Health Costs Is the Nation’s Strongest. Will Patients Notice?

Health Care Costs/Affordability
Table that describes planned health care development milestones from July 2024 to June 2028.

Overview of the Office of Health Care Affordability

Health Care Costs/Affordability
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Getting to Affordability: Spending Trends and Waste in California’s Health Care System

Health Care Costs/Affordability
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Top Five Takeaways from CHCF’s 2024 California Health Policy Poll

Facts and Data

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Recent Resources

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A depressed man reads a letter
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Not Enough Prevention in Health Care

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A depressed man reads a letter
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Unfair Pricing and Too Few Choices

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A depressed man reads a letter
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The 25% Problem: Why Health Care Is So Expensive (And What We Can Do About It)

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How Massive Federal Cuts Will Create Unprecedented Challenges for Medi-Cal Patients and Providers

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Doctor enters information on computer while talking to patient.
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Californians Need Strong Data Sharing to Lower Health Costs and Improve Care

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Doctor takes notes on tablet while spaking to patient in a clinic exam room.
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Health Data Exchange Drives Efficiency and Cuts Costs

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Does Shift Happen? Key Concepts and Evidence in the Hospital Cost-Shifting Debate

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Controlling Health Care Costs

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