Report The Impact of Health Insurance on Poverty in California By Caroline Danielson, Patricia Malagon, Shannon McConville Mar 27, 2023 The Affordable Care Act has helped millions of Californians gain health insurance over the past decade. In addition to improving access to care, the ACA has increased financial well-being. This analysis focuses on the significant contribution of publicly funded health coverage—particularly Medi-Cal—to family resources across the state.
blog post Ensuring Safe Drinking Water for California’s Native American Communities By Joy Collins, Caitrin Chappelle Jun 22, 2021 California’s tribes frequently lack access to safe drinking water—and lack the funds to fix aging infrastructure. A new state program may help improve the situation.
Report Equitable State Funding for School Facilities By Julien Lafortune, Niu Gao Mar 14, 2022 Most funding for California’s K–12 facilities comes from local tax revenues, which depend on property wealth. State funding could potentially address wealth disparities, but it has disproportionately benefited more-affluent districts. Policymakers should prioritize equity in facility funding so that all students have access to safe and effective learning environments.
blog post How Has the Medi-Cal Program Changed over the Past Three Decades? By Shannon McConville, Paulette Cha Jul 23, 2024 As part of an ongoing series commemorating PPIC's 30th anniversary, research fellows Paulette Cha and Shannon McConville discuss how Medi-Cal—California's Medicaid program—has changed and expanded since the early 1990s. One-third of current Medi-Cal enrollees are adults who gained program eligibility under the federal Affordable Care Act.
blog post 2020 Census: Will All of California’s Children Be Counted? By Sarah Bohn, Vicki Hsieh Apr 10, 2019 Ensuring a complete and accurate count of young children—the age group most likely to be undercounted—is a big challenge.
Report Federal Formula Grants: Homeland Security By Tim Ransdell Jan 20, 2004 This report reviews most of the primary formula and discretionary grant programs that delivered federal financial assistance for homeland security activities to state and local governments and other entities during fiscal year 2003. It provides detailed information on grants to California and other states during that year and estimates how grant amounts might have changed if the administering agency had employed alternative formula scenarios. It then discusses preliminary prospects for future-year funding and also notes current legislative activity and possible formula changes.
blog post Video: Seizing the Drought By Sarah Bardeen Nov 22, 2021 Californians know that climate change is here—and we’re feeling its effects nowhere more than in our water system. Last week, during our fall conference, we convened three days of expert panels. Scientists, policymakers, growers, water managers, and restoration advocates laid out a compelling vision of how to prepare our water system for the changes that are already underway.
Report Managing Water and Farmland Transitions in the San Joaquin Valley By Ellen Hanak, Andrew Ayres, Caitlin Peterson, Alvar Escriva-Bou ... Sep 18, 2023 How can the San Joaquin Valley adapt to a future with less water? We’ve been researching this issue for the past seven years, and our new report presents highlights from we’ve learned, including a robust list of policy suggestions to help the valley weather—and make the most of—the coming changes.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: How Did Pandemic Recovery Funding Support California Community Colleges? By Olga Rodriguez, Daniel Payares-Montoya, Kevin Cook, Chansonette Buck May 8, 2024 Much of the pandemic recovery funding went directly to students—even that earmarked for institutional support. Investments reported to enhance student equity, success, and enrollment include making college more affordable, expanding student supports and services, and increasing flexibility in course modality.