Contact: Molly Weedn | molly@weednpa.com
Ballot Measure That Threatens Care for Millions of California Patients
Sacramento, CA – Today, leading healthcare organizations announced their opposition to a dangerous ballot measure that threatens care for millions of patients who rely on community health centers and clinics for their healthcare. The measure, aimed for the November 2026 statewide ballot, is being pushed by SEIU-UHW union executives in a shameful attempt to extort patients to advance their political agenda.
“In many rural and underserved regions where I care for patients, community health centers and clinics are often the only source of care,” said Rene Bravo, M.D., pediatrician and President of the California Medical Association. “This measure will force clinics to cut services or even close. Patients will lose access to care, and the health of entire communities will be put at risk. The California Medical Association is proud to stand up for patients and community health centers in opposition to this reckless ballot measure.”
“California’s healthcare delivery system is already buckling under the weight of devastating federal cuts,” said Jodi Hicks, President & CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. “Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California opposes any effort that further diverts critical funding away from community health centers, especially as vulnerable communities continue to face so many threats to care. This measure will harm millions of patients in California. Full stop.” Research from health care economists at the Berkeley Research Group (BRG) found that this measure would divert $1.7 billion away from community health centers and clinics in the first year alone at a time when clinics are already facing difficult financial challenges and federal and state funding cuts. According to BRG, if this measure passes, two-thirds of all health centers and clinics in the state will be pushed into operating in the red and many would have to shut down.
“Community health centers provide whole-person care that is essential in keeping entire communities healthy. This measure would put so much of that at risk, including the accessible and equitable services that are the core of community health centers,” said Dr. Anthony Chong, MD, FAAFP, President, California Academy of Family Physicians. “Our patients deserve better, which is why CAFP has joined other healthcare leaders in opposition to this dangerous initiative.”
“This measure threatens vital services that millions of Californians rely on, both in and out of the clinical setting,” said LaKisha Camese, Policy Director, Black Women for Wellness Action Project. “Nurse managers, healthcare coverage enrollment navigators, patient transportation and more – these are all essential components of what community health centers offer as part of a ‘whole person, whole community’ approach. That would all be on the line, which would threaten the health and livelihood of too many in our community.”
The poorly drafted measure contains arbitrary exclusions that threaten vital patient services that are essential to serving patients like nurse and physician managers, translation services, healthcare coverage enrollment navigators, patient transportation, and community outreach and education. The measure even excludes funding to expand and build new clinics—preventing community health centers from expanding access to care in communities most in need. These arbitrary exemptions make no sense and will result in cuts to critical patient services.
“At a time when our state’s most vulnerable patients are already under attack by the federal government and in fear of losing their healthcare, it is cruel that SEIU-UHW would take this moment to pile on and further attack millions of disadvantaged patients,” said Francisco J. Silva, CEO, California Primary Care Association. “Medical leaders across California are united in our opposition to this measure and will work tirelessly to educate voters to ensure it will fail.”
“Community health centers are the cornerstone of our healthcare delivery system, offering preventative, urgent care, mental health, telehealth, dental care and more,” said Catherine Martin, CEO, Association of California Healthcare Districts. “Without the services provided by community health centers and clinics, entire communities will be left without access to care if this measure passes. On behalf of the dozens of healthcare districts across the state, who operate community health centers, we strongly oppose this ballot measure and urge our partners to do the same.”
For more information, visit protectpatientsca.com