On the 59th Anniversary of Medicaid, Prop 35 is Needed to Keep the Program’s Promise in California
For Immediate Release
July 30, 2024
CONTACT: molly@axiomadvisors.com
Prop 35 secures dedicated funding to expand Medi-Cal patient access to care
Sacramento – July 30, 2024 marks the 59th anniversary of the Medicaid program, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. California’s program, Medi-Cal, was enacted the following year. Today, more than 15 million children, seniors, pregnant individuals and people with disabilities rely on Medi-Cal for health care coverage.
“Medi-Cal is the backbone of California’s health care system,” said Jodi Hicks, President & CEO, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California and Yes on Prop 35 Co-Chair. “But today’s Medi-Cal program, which is responsible for providing health insurance to 15 million children, seniors, disabled and low-income families, is significantly underfunded. As a result, Medi-Cal patients have difficulty finding a provider to receive the care they need. Proposition 35 is essential to ensureMedi-Cal has the resources needed to protect and expand access to care for all Californians.”
Prop 35 extends an existing levy on health insurance companies that has been in place for decades that is set to expire in 2026 – without raising taxes on individuals. Under Prop 35, California can bring more federal dollars back to California to protect and expand access to a broad range of health care services. The measure also restricts the legislature from increasing taxes on private health insurance plans – protecting health care consumers from higher health care premiums.
“The Medi-Cal program was created in the spirit of ensuring the most vulnerable among us have access to the health care that everyone needs and deserves,” said Crispín Delgado, Executive Director, Insure the Uninsured. “But in order to maintain the promise of Medi-Cal, we must fund the program that treats more than a third of Californians. Prop 35 will do just that – providing dedicated funding to protect and expand access to care at community health clinics, hospitals, emergency rooms, primary care, family planning, mental health providers and specialty care providers.”
Prop 35 will also address California’s health care workforce shortage by expanding education and training programs to create a pipeline of health care workers and providers, including nurses, mental health providers, physician assistants, dentists and medical assistants.
Prop 35 is supported by a large, bi-partisan coalition that includes, health care workers, first responders, physicians, dentists, hospitals, Planned Parenthood, community health centers, social justice organizations and both the CA Democratic and Republican Parties because it will improve access to health care for ALL California patients.