Community Voices: Proposition 35 will expand, protect health care access in Kern County

As a cardiothoracic surgeon who has served Kern County for 20 years, I’ve witnessed firsthand the health challenges our community faces.

When I first began practicing here in Kern County, there was a large group of patients who were uninsured and only received health care when disease was at its most severe stage. This required high-end, expensive resources and some patients never received the care they needed at all.

While California has made great strides in decreasing the number of uninsured thanks to Medi-Cal eligibility expansions, many of the health problems that formerly uninsured patients experienced persist due to a lack of adequate funding for Medi-Cal.

Consider that nearly one in four Kern adults report their overall health as poor to fair, significantly higher than the state average. We’re facing an obesity epidemic, with a staggering 79% of adults and teens being overweight or obese. This contributes to our county having the highest mortality rate from diabetes in all of California.

The roots of this crisis run deep. Kern County has more residents per health professional than the state average, which means longer wait times and reduced access to care, especially for rural residents.

Poverty exacerbates these health challenges. In Kern, 21% of adults live in poverty, with nearly one in 10 living in extreme poverty. This economic struggle is reflected in our children’s diets, with more than 80% of teenagers not eating enough fruits and vegetables daily.

We’re also grappling with unique regional health issues. Valley fever cases surged to 3,153 in 2023, a 24% increase from the previous year. The opioid crisis continues to ravage our community, with 308 deaths from overdoses in 2022, including a heartbreaking number of teenagers.

These challenges can seem overwhelming, but there’s hope on the horizon.

Proposition 35 offers a lifeline to communities like ours by providing dedicated funding to improve California’s health care system without raising taxes on individuals. It will provide competitive reimbursement rates to physicians who treat Medi-Cal patients, ensuring access to care. Without the passing of Proposition 35, I am concerned many doctors will stop treating Medi-Cal patients due to poor reimbursement.

For Kern County, Proposition 35 could be transformative. It would protect and expand access to care at community health clinics, hospitals and emergency rooms. This is crucial for a county where healthcare professionals are stretched thin. Funding workforce training programs could help increase the number of doctors, nurses and specialists serving our area, reduce wait times, and improve care quality.

The measure’s focus on preventive care is particularly important for Kern. With better access to primary care and health education, we could start to turn the tide on our obesity and diabetes epidemics. Regular check-ups could catch valley fever cases earlier, improving outcomes. And expanded mental health and addiction services could help address our opioid crisis.

Proposition 35 also aims to improve health care access for the most vulnerable Californians, including the 45% of low-income children, families, seniors and disabled county residents who rely on Medi-Cal. Given our county’s high poverty rates, this could significantly improve the quality of care our residents get when they need it.

Proposition 35’s strict accountability measures ensure that 99% of the funds go directly to expanding health care access. Knowing that these funds will be used efficiently and effectively is crucial for a county that has struggled with limited resources.

As a cardiothoracic surgeon, I’ve seen the impact of our broken health care system on individual lives. I’ve had patients ration their diabetes medication because they couldn’t afford regular doses. I’ve witnessed parents struggle to find specialists for their children within a reasonable distance. I’ve experienced the toll that delayed care takes on our community’s health.

Voting yes on Proposition 35 is about giving hope to the family struggling with chronic illness, the senior who needs consistent care, and the child who deserves a healthy start in life. It’s about building a healthier future for Kern County.

On Election Day, I urge you to vote YES on Proposition 35 to help bridge the health divide and ensure that every resident of Kern County has access to the quality care they deserve. Our community’s health depends on it.

Eric Peck, M.D., is a cardiothoracic surgeon practicing in Bakersfield.