Monterey County officials advocate for healthcare affordability amid rising costs

The Health Care Affordability Board meeting, held on March 7, 2025, by the Department of Health Care Access and Information in California, focused on critical discussions surrounding health care costs and consumer affordability. The meeting highlighted the increasing burden of high deductible health plans, particularly in Monterey County, where residents face significant out-of-pocket expenses for necessary medical procedures.

The session began with a recognition of the challenges posed by high deductible plans, which have escalated from 30% of Californians with employer-based coverage two decades ago to 80% today. This shift has left many consumers vulnerable to catastrophic costs, especially for essential medications and treatments. Board members emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to address these affordability issues, acknowledging that the current system often leaves consumers with substantial financial exposure.

Public comments underscored the urgency of the situation. Beth Capelle from Health Access California expressed gratitude for the board's focus on affordability, noting that it was a significant gap in previous discussions. She pointed out the necessity of developing a market basket to assess health care costs effectively, as the landscape has changed dramatically over the years. Capelle highlighted the importance of understanding the administrative costs associated with health care, which often remain hidden at the provider level.

Anna Guillone, representing the Salinas Union High School District, echoed these sentiments, advocating for a target rate of 1.8 for Monterey County hospitals to help manage escalating costs for employers. She stressed the need for support in making health care more affordable for employees in the region.

Laura Lucia from the UC Berkeley Labor Center praised the board's commitment to incorporating consumer affordability metrics into their baseline report. She noted the availability of valuable data sources in California that could inform future decisions, including insights into deductibles, premiums, and the impact of medical debt on consumers.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of ongoing discussions and data collection to better understand and address the complexities of health care affordability in California. The board plans to continue refining its strategies to ensure that consumers have access to affordable health care options moving forward.