Voters Overwhelmingly Approve Proposition 35, Protecting Medi-Cal for Nearly 15 Million Californians

Dedicated funding will protect and expand access to health care

Sacramento – California voters have overwhelmingly approved Proposition 35, the landmark measure that will provide dedicated, ongoing funding for California’s Medi-Cal program. The initiative represents the most historic investment in the state’s health program that serves 15 million Californians, including half of all children, seniors, low income families and persons with disabilities. 

“Prop 35’s victory on the ballot is a victory for patients across California,” said Jodi Hicks, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California and Prop 35 Co-Chair. “Nearly 85 percent of patients at Planned Parenthood health centers rely on Medi-Cal for health insurance and now, with a dedicated source of funding for the program, there will be a future that provides more stability and expanded access to care for those who need it most. Planned Parenthood is proud to have supported Prop 35 to help achieve a more equitable health care delivery system that all Californians will benefit from.”

Prop 35 will address California’s most urgent health care priorities – without raising taxes on individuals – to protect and expand access to care from primary care and specialty care physicians, community health clinics, hospitals, emergency rooms, family planning and mental health providers. Prop 35 extends an existing levy on health insurance companies and prevents the state from redirecting these funds for non-health care purposes.

“On behalf of more than 1300 community clinics across California, the California Primary Care Association (CPCA) would like to thank the voters of California for making history this week,” said Francisco Silva, CPCA CEO. “For too long, California’s health care delivery system has been riddled with inequities – that stops today. With this dedicated stream of revenue that will stay in health care, patients will have access to the care they deserve, regardless of where they live or where they come from.” 

“Prop 35’s passage could not have been possible without our incredible coalition that supported the measure, including more than 400 organizations across California representing health care providers, social justice organizations, businesses and community advocates,” said Dustin Corcoran, CEO of the California Medical Association and Prop 35 Co-Chair. “Together, we have made a generational investment that will allow providers the stability they need to serve their communities and give patients access to care that they have been promised.” 

Prop 35 directs a stakeholder engagement process that will be assembled in coming months as implementation on the measure gets underway.