Improving healthcare for Californians
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (July 29, 2024) — Since my election to the Assembly, I’ve fought for policies that will help ease the financial strain on hardworking California families.
From ending perpetual cycles of debt created by predatory loans to protecting families from unjust evictions and unconscionable rent increases, I have looked at how we can help individuals who are struggling to afford to live in the only communities they’ve ever called home.
No one should have to make a choice between paying bills and receiving the healthcare that they need to live a happy, healthy life. Tragically, we know that people are being forced to face this choice every day. Unfortunately, healthcare costs continue to rise while access to healthcare providers gets harder.
In Sacramento, I have worked to help pass measures to improve healthcare access and affordability across the state. Last year, I supported policies to improve health outcomes for all Californians. I helped pass important measures to lower copays and deductibles on Covered California plans (SB 101), keep hospitals at risk of closure open with cashflow loans (AB 112) and increase Medi-Cal provider rates (AB 118).
Approximately 35% of the state’s population is enrolled in Medi-Cal, the state’s insurance program for low-income individuals. For many years, low reimbursement rates for providers have limited how many of these patients can be seen while still breaking even on costs. By supporting policies that increase Medi-Cal reimbursement rates, we can improve patient access to healthcare.
I was also proud to support California becoming the first state to expand healthcare access to all residents regardless of immigration status. This is expected to help 700,000 people obtain healthcare, including critically important preventative care, which helps to remove strain from our hospitals.
Of course, there is no healthcare without the dedicated individuals who work in the industry. Last year, I supported raising the minimum wage for healthcare workers. In order to achieve quality patient care, we need a workforce that is paid well and treated fairly. We also need to address our healthcare workforce shortages, which is why I’ve supported legislation to help increase access in underserved communities.
I have also authored and co-authored measures that have unfortunately stalled in the legislative process. AB 1943 that I authored would have helped lower the cost of a life-saving prescription drug, and SB 257 that I co-authored with Sen. Anthony Portantino would have required a healthcare service plan contract to cover the full cost of all medically necessary diagnostic breast imaging, including imaging following an abnormal mammography result.
I remain committed to fighting for these policies, and to finding smart policy solutions that help hardworking Californians afford preventative and life-saving services and medicine.
If you would like to learn more about legislation related to healthcare being considered by the Legislature this year, or to discuss other matters important to you, connect with me through my Concord district office at 925-521-1511.