The California Medical Association (CMA) recently joined the American Medical Association to recognize voting as a social determinant of health. Why? When we vote, our communities are healthier. Voting is our voice to promote policies that improve the health of our communities – from pollution and climate change to reproductive freedoms, gun violence, access to care and more. 

That’s why it is shocking that one third of eligible citizens – including health care professionals – do not vote. We can do better!

Be vote-ready for November 5. Visit registertovote.ca.gov to register to vote, confirm your registration is up to date and make a voting plan. The deadline to register online is Oct 21. You can amplify your impact by signing the We Will Vote Call to Action for health care professionals.

In addition to voting yourself, physicians are trusted health messengers for their patients and you have an opportunity to help grow voting across the communities you serve by helping connect patients to resources. Help your patients be informed voters for health with easy, quick tools from vot-er.org. 

New: CMA Voter Guide

Every year, CMA develops a voter guide with recommended positions. This year, CMA is a campaign co-chair for Yes on Proposition 35, which will secure guaranteed funding for Medi-Cal to improve access to health care. View the complete guide here.

CMA hopes all physicians will join us at the ballot box to improve the health of our patients and communities.