San Francisco Health Care Leaders Urge ‘Yes’ Vote on Proposition 35
For Immediate Release
August 27, 2024
CONTACT: Press@VoteYes35.com
Prop 35 Will Help Address San Francisco’s Most Urgent Health Care Priorities
San Francisco, CA – As San Francisco faces a deepening health care crisis, local physicians, business leaders, hospitals, dentists, community health centers, emergency responders, and more than 200 hundred organizations are calling on voters to support Proposition 35 on the November ballot. The initiative will address our region’s most urgent health care problems by expanding access to health care and funding California’s Medicaid system (Medi-Cal), which cares for nearly 15 million children, seniors, low-income families and persons with disabilities.
“As a dual practitioner in both medicine and dentistry, I see every day the challenges our patients face in accessing timely care,” said Dennis Song, M.D., DDS, President of the San Francisco Marin Medical Society. “Proposition 35 is essential for ensuring all patients have access to the health services they deserve. I strongly support Prop 35 and encourage Californians to vote YES this fall.”
The measure secures ongoing revenue by extending an existing levy on health insurance companies—without raising taxes—and dedicates these funds to protect and expand access to care at community health clinics, hospitals, emergency rooms, and with primary care, family planning, dentists, mental health providers, OB/GYNs, and specialty care providers like cancer and cardiology.
“For 50 years, Equity Health has served thousands of patients annually, providing essential care to San Francisco’s most vulnerable populations,” said Asa Satariano, President and CEO of Equity Health. “So many of our patients face mental and physical health challenges, and Prop 35 will provide the necessary resources to help serve the needs of everyone who comes through our doors. With dedicated mental health funding and resources directed toward primary and specialty care, Prop 35 will allow us to expand the care we offer and ensure that health care funding goes to health care.”
In addition to providing funding to Medi-Cal, Prop 35 prevents the state from redirecting these funds for non health care purposes and contains strong accountability requirements, including mandating that 99% of revenues must go to patient care and requiring annual independent performance audits to ensure funds are spent effectively and as intended.
“With 17 health centers and telehealth services, Planned Parenthood Northern California (PPNorCal) offers essential abortion and reproductive health care for more than 76,000 patients annually,” said Gilda Gonzales, President of Planned Parenthood Northern California Action Fund. “However, increasing provider shortages put immense pressure on PPNorCal’s health care capacity. Passage of Proposition 35 is crucial for funding the workforce programs necessary to ensure more health care providers are available, so every patient can receive the care they need and deserve.”
For more information, visit https://voteyes35.com/.
About the Yes on Prop 35 Coalition
The Yes on Prop 35 Coalition is a group of physicians, hospitals, health care workers, community health centers, Planned Parenthood, dentists, and emergency responders dedicated to increasing access to health care.