PROP 35
GET THE FACTS
We all want to make the Medi-Cal program better for the children, families and seniors who rely on it for their health care. But the way Prop 35 is written could do MORE HARM THAN GOOD for communities who count on Medi-cal.
Prop. 35 Puts Billions in California Health Care Funding at Risk
California has made enormous strides to expand access to health care through Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid insurance program for children, families and adults with low incomes. Prop 35’s revenue structure will likely not be federally approved in the long term, and Prop 35 leaves lawmakers with limited ability to respond, creating an even greater funding gap for both existing Medi-Cal investments and health care providers.
The state’s Department of Finance says Prop. 35 would cost the state general fund $12 billion over the next three years. A budget hole of this size would likely force cuts not only to health care but to other critical safety net programs that keep vulnerable Californians healthy, like housing and food support. An analysis from the California Budget and Policy Center says “such cuts would likely harm Californians with low incomes most” and “raise health equity concerns, as they would disproportionately impact people of color, children, older adults, and people with disabilities.”
If Prop. 35 Passes, Protections for Children’s Health Coverage Lose Funding
The CA budget funded protections for California children ages 0-5 from losing Medi-Cal coverage at the age when regular check-ups are the most critical for brain development. If Prop 35 passes, that funding is overridden, putting 1.2 million young children at risk of unnecessarily losing their Medi-Cal coverage when they need it most.
Prop. 35 Jeopardizes our Seniors’ Health
Prop. 35 passage rolls back funding for community-based services for older adults with conditions that make them at risk of needing institutional care, like dementia and Alzheimer’s, and provide respite for their family caregivers. These and other long-term services and supports that stand to be cut under Prop. 35 are sorely needed by many seniors and already severely underfunded; Prop. 35 would exacerbate this situation.
Prop. 35 Prioritizes Health Care Funding for Special Interests Over Communities’ Health Care Needs
We all want to make Medi-Cal better, which includes boosting provider participation so everyone can get health care when they need, where they need it. Prop. 35 will dedicate some funds to safety net providers who are critical to the delivery system. However, it falls far short of meeting the needs for community health care and instead locks up billions of dollars in funding for special interests. The top three major donors to Prop 35 include a multi-billion dollar private equity corporation and major private hospital chains. Their interests should not influence the ability of California to support the safety net communities depend upon.
Prop. 35 Cuts Voters, Taxpayers, and Health Care Consumers Out of Decision-Making
By locking in funding formulas that permanently fund only a select group of monied providers, Prop. 35 takes decision-making away from our elected officials and limits opportunities for health care consumers to advocate for their needs.
Prop. 35 lacks accountability measures to ensure that the dollars are well spent and result in better access to health care. There is no oversight or evaluation to ensure that increased pay to providers results in better health care, and very limited opportunity to make changes in the event that Californians do not experience the desired improvements as a result of this multi-billion dollar investment in providers.
Prop. 35 is Unnecessary
California’s lawmakers can invest in health care for Californians on Medi-Cal without a ballot initiative. In fact, the budget plan they passed in June of this year is a balanced approach to invest billions of dollars in expanding health care access so children, families, seniors and people with disabilities don’t have to wait so long to see a health care provider.
California’s lawmakers can invest in health care for Californians on Medi-Cal without a ballot initiative.
Who’s at risk with
Prop. 35?
Passage of Prop. 35 would automatically eliminate funding for young children’s health coverage protections, community health workers, older adults living with Alzheimer’s and other chronic conditions, and people with disabilities. People of color, children, older adults, and people with disabilities would be disproportionately impacted.
