In Historic Action, California Democratic and Republican Parties Urge Voters to Support the Protect Access to Care Initiative
Ballot measure would increase access to life-saving healthcare across California
Sacramento, CA – In a demonstration of the broad, bipartisan support of the ProtectAccess to Care Initiative, both the California Democratic Party and the California Republican Party voted to endorse the measure at their respective conventions yesterday.
The move showcases the importance of expanded access to healthcare for Californians, regardless of political affiliation.
The Coalition to ProtectAccess to Care submitted more than 800,000 signatures to county registrars last month to qualify the initiative for the November 2024 ballot. “The campaign is proud to have the support of Democrats and Republicans across the state,” said ProtectAccess to Care Coalition Campaign Co-Chair Dustin Corcoran, CEO of the California Medical Association. “California’s healthcare system is in crisis. In rural and urban communities alike, hospitals, physicians’ offices and community health centers are struggling to meet the needs of communities across our state. This initiative will ensure that our healthcare system has the tools and resources needed to treat and care for patients across California.”
“Our healthcare system impacts all our lives in some of the most personal and profound ways, and it has become overwhelmingly clear to Californians, regardless of political affiliation, that the current system is strained and does not serve the needs of all Californians. Californians deserve a sustainable and accessible healthcare system, which is why we are working to pass the ProtectAccess to Care Initiative and why we are proud to have a broad, bipartisan coalition in support,” said ProtectAccess to Care Coalition Campaign Co-Chair Jodi Hicks, President & CEO, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California.
The measure will extend existing taxes on health insurance companies, leveraging billions in federal dollars that will help to improve access to critical healthcare services. It will protect the investment made by a bipartisan group of state leaders in 2023 to bring much-needed stability to our healthcare system.
Specifically, the initiative will expand access to preventive healthcare for Medi-Cal patients, reducing costly emergency room visits and decreasing wait times for all Californians. To alleviate provider shortages in underserved areas of the state, the initiative will expand California’s education and training to create a pipeline of healthcare providers including physicians, nurses, dentists, physician assistants, and medical assistants. The initiative will also help California to manufacture its own insulin and other prescription drugs for much lower prices than exist currently.
When qualified, the initiative will appear on the November 2024 ballot. For more information, visitAccessToHealthcareCA.com
About the Coalition to Protect Access to Care
The Coalition to ProtectAccess to Care is a group of physicians, hospitals, healthcare workers, community health centers, Planned Parenthood, dentists, health plans and emergency responders dedicated to increasing access to healthcare.