California

California Advocates Leading the Way On Health Care Rights for All

California is a leader among states in the field of health care and largely successful in implementing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), both through its Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, and its health insurance Exchange, Covered California.

The National Health Law Program’s health advocates in California litigate cases involving Medi-Cal and Covered California eligibility and services, managed health care delivery system issues, and health reform implementation.

Our advocates also litigate constitutional and due process rights, disability and civil rights, and reproductive health care rights.

We engage in administrative advocacy with state and local agencies that administer and oversee public health care programs. We are part of the statewide Health Consumer Alliance (HCA), a collaborative that provides individual health consumer assistance and policy advocacy for low-income and underserved populations. HCA also provides technical assistance and training to local legal aid programs and other health care providers and advocates.

The National Health Law Program is a leader organization in health care law and policy and litigation in California. Our California offices’ health care experts play an essential role in the state’s efforts to expand and secure access to care. In this time of federal opposition and attacks against the ACA and Medicaid, we are committed to protecting and preserving the health rights of low-income individuals and underserved populations in California.

Medi-Cal: California Medicaid

California’s Medi-Cal program provides free or low-cost health care coverage to more than 14 million low-income adults, families with children, seniors, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, children in foster care, and former foster youth up to age 26. Medi-Cal, like other Medicaid programs, covers a wide range of health services which, taken together, are intended to provide a comprehensive package of health care services from infancy to end of life. To learn more about what services are covered and for an explanation of many of the important benefits available through Medi-Cal, please review our 2022 update to An Advocate’s Guide to Medi-Cal Services.

Private Insurance with Financial Assistance

Covered California is the state-based health insurance exchange. California consumers can purchase health insurance with financial assistance to make health insurance more affordable. More than 1.4 million Californians are enrolled in Covered California and many states look to its exchange as a model for success.

The National Health Law Program works closely with Covered California to ensure its policies are consumer-friendly and facilitate increased enrollment and retention of coverage. Each year, our California office’s experts design health plans to make sure Covered California’s health care plans remain affordable and comprehensive. We work closely on Covered California’s consumer messaging, notices, and materials to ensure individuals and families understand and know their rights and scope of coverage.

As part of the Health Consumer Alliance (HCA), we are funded to provide free legal advice and representation to Covered California enrollees. The HCA provides assistance with Covered California complaints and appeals, including representing consumers at Covered California hearings.

California: Reproductive & Sexual Health

California has among the strongest reproductive and sexual health protections in the nation. Access to abortion services, family planning, and pregnancy care is guaranteed in both private insurance and Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program). Adolescents can consent to a range of reproductive health services without parental involvement.

NHeLP is a leader in the work to expand doula care for Medi-Cal enrollees and provides research and guidance on how the state can best implement such policies.

NHeLP is also proud to be a steering committee member of the “California Future of Abortion Council” (CA FAB Council), which is comprised of reproductive freedom and sexual and reproductive health care allies, partners, and leaders. The CA FAB Council works in collaboration with policy makers, researchers, advocates, providers, patients, and key constituents to determine potential challenges in the state and recommend solutions that will continue to provide access and stability for both Californians and those who may seek services here from out of state.

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Kimberly Lewis
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Kimberly Lewis

Managing Director, California Advocacy and Practice Area Managing Director

Kimberly Lewis is the Managing Director, California Advocacy and Practice Area Managing Director at the National Health Law Program’s…

Skyler Rosellini
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Skyler Rosellini

Assistant Director of California Policy

Skyler Rosellini is the Assistant Director of California Policy at the National Health Law Program. Skyler’s work focuses on…

Fabiola Carrión
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Fabiola Carrión

Director, Reproductive and Sexual Health

Area(s) of Expertise: Reproductive and Sexual Health; Abortion Coverage; Reproductive Justice; Telehealth and Medicaid; ACA Marketplaces; Diversity, Equity, and…

Amy Chen
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Amy Chen

Senior Attorney

Area(s) of Expertise: Sexual and reproductive health, pregnancy coverage, maternal health, expanding access to doula care, Medicaid coverage for doula…

Abigail Coursolle
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Abigail Coursolle

Senior Attorney

Abigail (Abbi) Coursolle is a Senior Attorney in the National Health Law Program’s Los Angeles offices. Abbi provides technical…

Aneil Dhillon
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Aneil Dhillon

Public Interest Fellow

Aneil Dhillon is a Public Interest Fellow at the National Health Law Program’s Los Angeles office. Aneil engages in…

Alicia Emanuel
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Alicia Emanuel

Senior Attorney

Area(s) of Expertise: California, Medi-Cal Eligibility, Covered California, Exchange Coverage, Children's Health, CA Children's Services Program  Alicia Emanuel is…

Héctor Hernández-Delgado
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Héctor Hernández-Delgado

Staff Attorney

Area(s) of Expertise: Medicaid; Medi-Cal; Substance Use Disorders; Mental Health: Essential Health Benefits; Health Reform; Medicaid in TerritoriesHéctor Hernández-Delgado…

Carly Myers
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Carly Myers

Staff Attorney

Carly Myers (she/her/hers) is a Staff Attorney with the National Health Law Program’s California team. Carly’s work focuses on…

Alexis Robles-Fradet
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Alexis Robles-Fradet

Policy Analyst

Area(s) of Expertise: Medi-Cal, Medicaid, Reproductive and Sexual Health, Behavioral Health, Health Equity, EHBsAlexis Robles-Fradet is a Health Policy…

Jasmine Young
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Jasmine Young

Policy Analyst

Jasmine Young is a Policy Analyst at the National Health Law Program’s Los Angeles office. Jasmine engages in a…