SACRAMENTO — When then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger called for nearly all Californians to buy health insurance or be fined, Anthony Wright blasted the 2007 proposal as “unfair, unworkable and unwise” that would punish those who can least afford insurance.The head of Health Access California, one of the state’s most influential consumer groups, only reversed course after he and allies struck a deal to increase subsidies for the needy.
The plan was ultimately blocked by Democrats, who wanted the state to adopt a single-payer health care system instead, but the moment epitomized quintessential Anthony Wright: independent-minded and willing to compromise if it helps Californians live healthier lives without going bankrupt.
Wright will take on the role of head of the health consumer group this summer. Families USAWright’s campaign for more affordable and accessible health care has taken him to the national level, deeply dividing Congress. During his 23 years in Sacramento, Wright successfully lobbied to outlaw Medicaid. Surprise medical billingMandating companies to report Rising drug pricesand Limiting hospital costs This insurance is available nationwide to uninsured patients.
“He pushed the envelope and gave people inspiring leadership,” said Jennifer Kent, who served as Schwarzenegger’s chief of staff at the Department of Health Services, which oversees the state’s Medicaid system. The two men often clashed over health policy issues. “There was always one more thing, one more thing, one more thing to accomplish.”
Recently, Wright A coalition of labor and immigrant rights activists It provides comprehensive Medicaid benefits to all eligible California residents, regardless of immigration status, and the state funds this insurance because the federal government does not allow it.
His victory came with a mostly Democratic governor and Legislature and without the need for Republican support. That won’t be the case in Washington, DC. Republicans currently control the House of Representatives. Senate The Democratic Party has a slim majorityThis makes it extremely difficult to pass any substantive legislation, and the November elections are not expected to ease the partisan gridlock.
Both Health Access and Families USA are technically nonpartisan, but they tend to align with Democrats and lobby in support of Democratic policies, including abortion rights. But “Anthony doesn’t just talk to his own people,” says David Panusch, a veteran health policy consultant in Sacramento. “He has the ability to connect with people who don’t agree with him on everything.”
Wright, who interned for Vice President Al Gore in his 20s and worked as a consumer advocate at the Federal Communications Commission, acknowledged the job will be tough in the nation’s capital, saying he is “wide-eyed at the dysfunction” in the city, and said he plans to work directly with state lawmakers and lobby members of Congress. 10. Most are Republicans States that have not yet expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act will do so.
In an interview with California Healthline senior correspondent Samantha Young, Wright, 53, spoke about his accomplishments in Sacramento and the challenges he faces leading a national consumer advocacy group. His remarks have been edited for length and clarity.
Q: Are there any initiatives in California that you would like to see other states or the federal government adopt?
Saying “we did this in California” isn’t going to make much of an impact in the other 49 states. But some of the things that have already rolled out across the country, like the extra help to buy health insurance with state subsidies, were the model for what the federal government did in the American Rescue Plan. [Act] and the Inflation Control Act. These additional tax credits had a major impact. About 5 million Americans But these additional tax credits expire in 2025. When these credits expire, the average insurance premium will increase by $400 a month.
Q: You said that if former President Donald Trump is elected in November, he will be put on the defensive. What do you mean?
Our health is on the ballot. I’m worried about the Affordable Care Act and protections for pre-existing conditions, helping people get insurance, and all the other consumer patient protections. Reproductive health is obviously a top priority, but it’s not the only thing that could be taken away. Things like Medicare’s power to negotiate prescription drug prices could be taken away.
Q: But Trump has no intention of repealing the ACA this time.Improve.”
A look at the record of proposals made during his first term would have left millions of people without insurance, caused premiums to skyrocket, and eliminated important patient protections.
Q: If President Joe Biden is re-elected, what are your plans?
It depends in part on the makeup of Congress and other elected officials. Spending more than 8.5% of your income on insurance premiums• Are there benefits in Medicare and Medicaid that could actually be improved with regards to vision and dental? What are the cost drivers in our health care system?
There are many things we can do at the state and federal levels to ensure that this health emergency does not also become an economic emergency, to ensure that people have access to health care and financial stability.
Q: Does a more polarized Washington make it harder to get things done?
The dysfunction in DC is real. I don’t believe I have any special powers, but I will do my best to move things forward. We still have very big differences on Obamacare and on Social Security more broadly. But there are always opportunities to move the agenda forward.
There may be much common ground in areas such as health care costs and increased oversight and accountability for cost and value quality to correct market failures in the health care system.
Q: What would happen in California if the ACA were repealed?
When the ACA was under great threat, a lot of people thought, “Maybe California can just do it on its own.” Without the tens of billions of dollars that the ACA provides, it would have been very hard to maintain. If you eliminate those subsidies and 5 million Californians lose their insurance, the risk pool gets smaller and the risk of disease increases. Then premiums skyrocket for everyone, and the market basically goes into a death spiral where no one is covered, healthy or sick.
Q: California has expanded Medicaid to eligible immigrants living in the state without authorization. Do you think something similar could be done at the federal level?
Not at the moment. I would probably look more at states that don’t offer Medicaid to their citizens. [who] They happen to be low-income earners, and they are giving up precious money that they could be spending.
Q: What experience from Health Access will help you in Washington?
It’s very rare for anything significant to happen in a year. Often it takes years or multiple sessions to debate a bill or pursue a policy. So the power of persistence is that if you never give up, you never lose, you just delay. It took three years for prescription drug price transparency, three years for surprise medical billing, and five years for the Hospital Fair Pricing Act.
It is important to bring together the voices of consumers. Patients and citizens are not just stakeholders. They are the cornerstone of the health care system.
KFF Health News is a national newsroom producing in-depth journalism on health issues and is one of the flagship operating programs of KFF, an independent source of health policy research, polling and journalism. KFF.
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