Donaldo Hernandez, M.D., the president of the California Medical Association (CMA), issued the following statement in response to the introduction of a bill to renew the state’s Managed Care Organization (MCO) Tax and invest in the Medi-Cal system:

“Physicians applaud the Governor and legislative leaders for their work to seize the tremendous, generational opportunity before us to renew the MCO Tax and use its revenue to fulfill the promise of Medi-Cal to provide meaningful access to care for the most vulnerable Californians.

This investment in Medi-Cal means that millions of patients will have increased access to life-saving health care. Children and adults will have better access to primary care, so they can stay healthy, and to specialty care when they need it. Our hospital emergency departments will remain open so patients can get timely care in times of crisis. This investment in the health care system will also make it possible to train hundreds of additional physicians each year, most of whom will continue to practice in the communities in which they train.  

We thank the Governor and the legislature for their work to achieve justice and equity in access to care for Medi-Cal patients, and we urge swift passage of this budget bill. As the fourth largest economy in the world, California has the chance to truly ensure all Californians get the care they need when they need it by investing in the Medi-Cal system.”