The California Medical Association (CMA) has joined a broad coalition of health care providers and community groups in support of an initiative, the “Medi-Cal Funding and Accountability Act,” which will appear on the November 2016 ballot.

The initiative would extend a critical hospital fee program in order to provide a stable source of health care funding to serve California’s most vulnerable citizens: children, seniors and low-income residents. The initiative builds on SB 239, an important and unanimous bipartisan agreement passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Jerry Brown in 2013.

As part of the agreement, hospitals leverage their existing resources and work cooperatively with the state to unlock billions in available federal matching funds, thereby maximizing California’s share of Medi-Cal funds for hospital patients. The agreement also requires that the funds be spent for their intended purpose: to provide health care services to children, seniors and other low-income Californians.

The initiative, if passed, would make this common-sense agreement permanent and ensure continued access to health care at hospitals throughout California.

CMA encourages its physician groups, county medical societies and other affiliated organizations to support the initiative by joining the coalition.

To show support, fill out an endorsement form by clicking here. Completed forms can be emailed to cha@randlecommunications.com  or faxed to (916) 448-5872.

Interested organizations can reach the campaign team directly at (916) 448-5802 or cha@randlecommunications.com.

Contact: Janus Norman, (916) 226-0338 or jnorman@cmadocs.org.