Inland Empire Health Care Leaders, Local Businesses and Community Health Centers Urge ‘Yes’ Vote on Proposition 35

For Immediate Release
September 10, 2024

Prop 35 will help address the Inland Empire’s most urgent health care priorities

Inland Empire, CA – As the Inland Empire faces a deepening health care crisis, local physicians, dentists, business leaders, hospitals, 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 the region’s most urgent health care needs by expanding access to health care and funding California’s Medicaid system (Medi-Cal).

Nearly 2 million people in the counties of Riverside and San Bernardino (42 and 44 percent of the population, respectively) rely on Medi-Cal for their health insurance, but with acute underfunding in the Medi-Cal program, patients are waiting months for access to primary and specialty care providers.

The Inland Empire has the second lowest supply of specialty physicians per capita across the state.

“As a family medicine physician, I witness firsthand the significant challenges patients face when trying to access a specialist to help treat heart disease, cancer or neurological illnesses,” said Calvin Patel, M.D., President of the Riverside County Medical Society. “Proposition 35 is a critical step toward expanding access to both primary and specialty care, providing much-needed relief to our overburdened system.”

The measure secures ongoing revenue by extending an existing levy on health insurance companies set to expire in 2026 – 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, mental health providers, OB/GYNs and specialty care providers like cancer and cardiology.

“At Community Health Systems, Inc, said Lori N. Holeman CEO of Community Health Systems, Inc. “In order to keep offering the top tier care we are known for – including preventative care, adult services, mental health, dental care and prenatal services, we need the funding that Prop 35 will provide to ensure we can expand and protect the care that Inland Empire patients need and deserve.”

“At the Inland Empire Children’s Cabinet, we are committed to supporting children and families while driving meaningful progress in health and racial equity across our communities,” said Brian Thomas Romo, MPP, Public Policy Manager, Inland Empire Children’s Cabinet. “With Prop 35, we move one step closer to ensuring children have equitable access to high quality comprehensive health care that invests in the needs of the most vulnerable members of our community. We stand in strong support of Prop 35 and urge everyone in the community to vote YES because investing early in the lives of children helps to secure a brighter, healthier, and more equitable future for all.”

Prop 35 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.

“Healthy communities are the backbone of a strong economy,” said Patrick Ellis, ACE, President and CEO of the Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce. “Proposition 35 is a vital investment in the health of our workforce and the well-being of our residents. By expanding access to quality health care, we can help our businesses succeed and our communities thrive.”

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.

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