California Black Media

On Your November Ballot: Prop 35 Would Make an Existing Tax on Managed Health Care Plans Permanent

Prop 35 would make the state pay doctors more money for treating patients who are covered by Medi-Cal, California’s version of the federal program Medicaid, and fund other health care services, including community clinics, hospitals, ERs, family planning, and mental health providers. Managed care organizations contract with the state to provide these health benefits. The state taxes these organizations to help pay for the Medi-Cal program. This measure would require the state to use a portion of that tax money to increase how much Medi-Cal pays doctors.

Published

8 hours ago

October 22, 2024

Oakland Post

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By Edward Henderson, California Black Media

Managed care organizations contract with the state to provide these health benefits. The state taxes these organizations to help pay for the Medi-Cal program. This measure would require the state to use a portion of that tax money to increase how much Medi-Cal pays doctors.

While Medi-Cal coverage has expanded significantly over the past 10 years, payments to doctors and other providers have not kept pace. According to a report by the Kaiser Family Foundation, California’s reimbursement rate is in the bottom third nationally. Because of this, many providers won’t treat Medi-Cal patients.

Supporters of the proposition argue that tax revenue from the Managed Care Organization Tax (which historically has offset fund spending on Medi-Cal) should be spent for new investments in Medi-Cal rather than the general fund to ensure providers are properly compensated for the expanded services they’re expected to cover. Over the next four years, this tax is projected to generate upwards of $35 billion.

California Black Media spoke with Francisco Silva, CEO of the California Primary Care Association, who has been an avid supporter of Prop 35.

“It’s a generational opportunity to make timely access to care reality in California. We’ve done a wonderful job of expanding coverage, expanding benefits, and we’re still having challenges in the state to make sure people can see a physician, a nurse, timely to care in the emergency room and it’s because the lack of stable funding. So, it’s an opportunity to secure access for funding for health care the way it was meant to be.”

More than 15 million Californians are enrolled in Medi-Cal, representing more than one third of the state’s population. However, the lack of funding for medical professionals creates a lack in service that can have devastating impacts on patients who need care immediately.

“In some areas of the state, wait times to get a mammogram for instance is six months a year. That’s the difference between life and death for many people,” Silva noted.

No official campaign to oppose Prop 35 has been organized and no argument against the measure has been submitted to the Secretary of State’s office. However, Gov. Gavin Newsom has said publicly that he opposes the proposition, arguing that funding from the Managed Care Organization Tax is pivotal for other needs within the California Budget.

“This initiative hamstrings our ability to have the kind of flexibility that’s required at the moment we’re living in,” said Newsom during a press conference in Sacramento. “I haven’t come out publicly against it. But I’m implying a point of view. Perhaps you can read between those many, many lines.”

A “yes” vote supports permanently authorizing a tax on managed care organizations based on monthly enrollees, which is set to expire in 2026, and requiring revenues to be used for increased Medi-Cal programs.

A “no” vote opposes permanently authorizing a tax on managed care organizations based on monthly enrollees, thereby allowing it to expire in 2026.

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California Black Media

Controller Malia M. Cohen: Eligible Californians Can Now Apply for Property Tax Deferment

State Controller Malia M. Cohen announced last week that applications for property tax deferment began Oct. 1 and will continue through Feb. 10, 2025. The California’s Property Tax Postponement (PTP) Program “allows homeowners who are seniors, are blind, or have a disability, and who meet income and other requirements to postpone payment of property taxes on their primary residence,” according to Cohen’s office.

Published

4 hours ago

October 22, 2024

Oakland Post

State Controller Malia M. Cohen. File Photo.

By Tanu Henry, California Black Media

State Controller Malia M. Cohen announced last week that applications for property tax deferment began Oct. 1 and will continue through Feb. 10, 2025.

The California’s Property Tax Postponement (PTP) Program “allows homeowners who are seniors, are blind, or have a disability, and who meet income and other requirements to postpone payment of property taxes on their primary residence,” according to Cohen’s office.

In the 2023-24 tax year, qualifying California homeowners were able to postpone over $6.2 million in residential property taxes.

Funding for the PTP program is limited and participants must reapply each year and demonstrate they continue to meet eligibility requirements. Recently, the program has been expanded to include manufactured homes, and the household income limit has been raised to $53,574. The increase, according to Cohen’s office, will help make more seniors and Californians with disabilities keep their homes.

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California Black Media

Several Black Californians Are Playing Key Roles in LA 28 Olympics Planning

From politicians and businesspeople to athletes and community leaders, a number of Black Californians are contributing to the thought leadership that is shaping the planning of LA28, the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. At the forefront is Los Angeles’ first Black woman mayor, Karen Bass, who has, in many ways, become the face of the Games in the City of Angels.

Published

7 hours ago

October 22, 2024

Oakland Post

From left to right: IOC Member Hong Zhang, IOC Vice President Nicole Hoevertsz, Rex Richardson, Mayor of Long Beach, LA28 President Casey Wasserman, James T. Butts, Mayor of Inglewood, IOC President Thomas Bach, Marqueece Harris-Dawson, the President of the Los Angeles City Council (IOC/Greg Martin)

By Lila Brown, California Black Media

At the forefront is Los Angeles’ first Black woman mayor, Karen Bass, who has, in many ways, become the face of the Games in the City of Angels.

“The 2028 Games present an incredible opportunity to unite our city and lift up every corner of Los Angeles,” said Bass during a historic event at Los Angeles City Hall on Sept. 13, when the Olympic and Paralympic flags were unveiled and installed.

The event marked the return of the Olympic flag to L.A. since 1984, when the city hosted the Olympics for the second time. It was the first time the Paralympic flag was raised in California’s largest city.

“From creating jobs to supporting small businesses, we are committed to ensuring that these Games benefit all Angelenos — not just for the summer of 2028, but for decades to come,” Bass added.

Nearly two months after the Olympic flag handover from Paris to Los Angeles, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach visited Los Angeles.

Bach toured several of the city’s newest world-class sporting venues, including the SoFi Stadium and the recently opened Intuit Dome, both located in Inglewood. At the stadiums, he was joined by two other Los Angeles County Black mayors, whose cities will be key to hosting LA28 events: Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts and Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson.

SoFi Stadium, known as the home of NFL teams the LA Rams and LA Chargers, will host swimming competitions during the LA28 Games, with a temporary pool set to make it the largest swimming venue in Olympic history, boasting 38,000 seats. Intuit Dome, Inglewood’s newest state-of-the-art venue and home to the LA Clippers, will host the Olympic basketball tournament in the 18,000-seat arena.

In an interview with California Black Media ( CBM), Butts highlighted Inglewood’s central role in the upcoming Games, stating, “Inglewood will host the Opening and Closing ceremonies, basketball, and swimming competitions of the 2028 Olympic Games. This will be our second hosting of Olympic Basketball, the first in 1984.”

Marqueece Harris-Dawson, President of the Los Angeles City Council, also attended the tour.

Harris-Dawson is one of the leading backers of PlayLA, a parks development program that promises to provide sports programming to “young Angelenos of all abilities.” The initiative is funded by a $160 million investment from the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the International Olympic Committee.

Black Californians serving on the LA28 Board include Businesswoman Mellody Hobson; decorated Paralympian Lex Gillette; former Netflix Executive Dana Smith; President of the LA County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO Yvonne Wheeler; and television host, retired sprinter and four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson.

Rosalyn Brant Clark, a 1976 Olympic silver medalist and mother of three-time Paralympian Breanna Clark, said while the “Games for All” theme is promising, she is looking for more concrete action that impacts the lives of ordinary people, including Black Californians.

“They are going to need to show me more on that one before it gets my stamp of approval,” she added, challenging organizers to ensure genuine inclusivity.

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California Black Media

Sen. Bradford: State Must Do More as Senate Passes Gov’s Bill to Prevent Gas Price Spikes

On Oct. 11, during a special legislative session, the state Senate passed a bill backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that aims to prevent sharp increases in gas prices. California Legislative Black Caucus Vice Chair Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Inglewood), who chaired the Senate Special Committee on Fuel Supply and Price Spikes, applauded the passage of the bill but emphasized the state must do more.

Published

7 hours ago

October 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood), chair of the Senate Committee on Fuel Supply and Price Spikes, and vice chair Sen. Brian Dahle (R-Chico) listen to testimony during a hearing held on Oct. 7 at the State Capitol Annex Swing Space. Photo by Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media (CBM).

By Tanu Henry, California Black Media

On Oct. 11, during a special legislative session, the state Senate passed a bill backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that aims to prevent sharp increases in gas prices.

California Legislative Black Caucus Vice Chair Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Inglewood), who chaired the Senate Special Committee on Fuel Supply and Price Spikes, applauded the passage of the bill but emphasized the state must do more.

“All members of the Senate share concern about the effect rising gas prices have on California families and the ripple effects that may have on the costs of other goods. Protecting consumers has always been our top priority,” said Bradford.

“As policymakers, we must be diligent in our oversight of the regulatory agencies to ensure that this legislation is implemented in a manner that protects the safety of the workers and makes gasoline more affordable for families. There is still much work to be done,” he added.

The bill, ABX2-1, authored by Assemblymembers Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) and Cecilia Aguiar-Curr (D-Winters) and Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) would authorize the California Energy Commission (CEC) to require refiners to store more gas.

“Rising gas prices impact everyone in California and nearly every facet of our lives – from how much we’re paying at the pump to the cost of what we’re buying at the store. Putting mechanisms in place to help prevent costs from spiking and sending family budgets into a tailspin benefits us all, and working together, we’ve been able to do just that,” said Senate President pro Tem Mike McGuire (D-North Coast).

“Thank you to all of the Senators for the swift, hard work and focus this week, and to our Assembly partners and Governor Newsom for their partnership on this effort,” McGuire continued.

The bill has been sent back to the Assembly for concurrence.

On the same day, Sen. Rosilicie Ocha Bogh (R-Yucaipa) sent a letter to McGuire urging the Legislature’s Democratic leadership to reconsider a bill she introduced to suspend the state’s excise gas tax after that legislation was killed.

“Our families across the state are facing unprecedented financial strain. From groceries to utilities, the cost of living continues to soar,” said Ochoa Bogh. “I’m deeply disappointed in the legislature’s decision to continue ignoring real solutions for lowering gas prices. It is our legislative duty to support struggling families.”