Sacramento – Steve Larson, M.D., president of the California Medical Association (CMA), representing over 41,000 physicians statewide, issued the following statement in response to the unveiling of Governor Brown’s proposed 2016-17 state budget released this morning:

“We are pleased to see the Governor is committed to working with the legislature and health plans to find a solution to the MCO tax. Without that, a gaping hole would exist in the state’s Medicaid (Medi-Cal) fund that would have devastating impacts on patients across the state. 

“Ensuring that Medi-Cal is better funded is a priority of CMA, and as sponsors of the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016, we will be focused on passing the ballot measure both to help save lives and fund health care programs in California.

“With over one third of the state’s population relying on Medi-Cal for health care coverage, it’s essential that access to care is a reality for those patients and not just an empty promise with an insurance card.”