For Kristof Stremikis, director of market analysis and insight at California Health Care Foundation (CHCF), lowering the cost of health care is top-of-mind heading into 2022. The increasing costs of health services, he said, are causing many Californians to defer their care—which is likely to have damaging impacts on the health care system down the road. At CHCF, Stremikis uses his research on California’s health care system and market trends to inform policymakers and health leaders in their decision-making.
“One out of every two Californians is skipping or postponing care because it’s too expensive, and that’s really a public health issue at this point.”
He also noted that CalAIM has “real opportunity” to improve California’s health care system and said CHCF is monitoring the program closely.