Initiative will expand access to health care services and improve care for all Californians

The California Medical Association and the Coalition to Protect Access to Care, a broad and diverse group of health care organizations, have submitted enough signatures to qualify a statewide ballot initiative for the November 2024 ballot that will expand access to health care for millions of Californians.

The initiative builds on the historic investment that the Governor and Legislature made earlier this year to dedicate additional funding to the Medi-Cal program. The Protect Access to Healthcare Initiative is critical to ensuring the accessibility and affordability of health care services for all Californians, as well as recognizing the critical role that physicians play in achieving this vision.

Without raising taxes on individuals, the measure will bring more federal funds back to California and improve access to critical health care services. This initiative includes targeted rate increases for primary care and specialty care to make it easier for patients with Medi-Cal coverage to find a physician. In addition, the measure includes funding for graduate medical education to create more residency slots and new residency programs and loan repayment for those who agree to treat patients with Medi-Cal. 

Specifically, the initiative will:  

• Expand access to preventive health care for patients with Medi-Cal, leading to fewer costly emergency room visits and shorter wait times for all Californians.;
• Increase funding for mental health, including for those who need in-patient care;
• Help California to manufacture its own insulin and other prescription drugs for much lower prices than exist currently.
• Expand California’s education and training to create a pipeline of physicians and other health care providers to help alleviate shortages in underserved areas of the state. 

Now more than ever, it is important that the 15 million Californians who rely on Medi-Cal for health coverage have access to care. Equally as important is ensuring that emergency room wait times are reduced for ALL Californians, that there is more funding for mental health care across the state and that we help reduce the cost of life-saving prescription drugs.

The support and engagement of the physicians of California will be invaluable in driving this initiative forward. In the coming weeks and months, we will reach out to you with opportunities to assist in outreach and education efforts and keep you updated on the progress of this initiative.

When qualified, the initiative will appear on the November 2024 ballot. Please visit accesstohealthcareca.com for more information.