In a demonstration of broad, bipartisan support, both the California Democratic Party and the California Republican Party voted to endorse the Protect Access to Care Initiative at their respective May meetings. The move showcases the importance of expanding access to health care for Californians, regardless of political affiliation. 

The Coalition to Protect Access to Care, chaired by the California Medical Association (CMA), has gathered over 800,000 signatures to qualify the Protect Access to Care Act for the November 2024 ballot.  

“With support from both sides of the aisle, this initiative will help ensure that the remarkable gains we’ve had expanding health care coverage in California actually translate to improved access to care for patients,” said CMA President Tanya W. Spirtos, M.D. “The Protect Access to Care Initiative will ensure that our health care system has the tools and resources needed to provide meaningful access to care for all Californians.”  

“Our health care 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,” said Jodi Hicks, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California and co-chair of the coalition. “Californians deserve a sustainable and accessible health care system, which is why we are working to pass the Protect Access to Care Initiative and why we are proud to have a broad, bipartisan coalition in support.”  

Passage of the ballot measure is essential to safeguarding the Managed Care Organization (MCO) budget deal negotiated last year. Once approved by the voters, this ballot measure will make new, permanent investments in Medi-Cal starting in 2025 and leverage billions in federal dollars that will help to improve access to critical health care services.  

Specifically, the initiative will expand access to preventive health care 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 health care 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.  

For more information, visit AccessToHealthcareCA.com.