Yes on Prop 3 Earns Backing of California Health Care Organizations and Advocacy Coalitions

Doctors, nurses, school nurses, physicians, consumer advocates and patients across California endorse measure to protect funding for schools and health care

SACRAMENTO, CA – The Yes on Prop 3 campaign today announced endorsements from key California health care organizations and advocacy coalitions including California Medical Association (CMA), California Nurses Association (CNA), California School Nurses Organization (CSNO), Health Access California, San Francisco Bay Physicians for Social Responsibility and Aliados Health. 

Yes on Prop 3 would maintain an average of $10 billion in annual state revenue by keeping in place the rates the wealthiest 2% of Californians have paid for nearly 15 years. It’s revenue that supports K-12 schools, community colleges, and prevents cuts to health care programs millions of Californians rely on.

"Proposition 3 is a critical safeguard for our state's health care safety net," said CMA President René Bravo, M.D. "At a time of growing financial uncertainty, making this funding permanent helps ensure that millions of Californians who rely on Medi-Cal can continue to see their doctors. It provides long-term stability and preserves a proven and effective funding source."

“This election has major consequences for the health care of millions of Californians. As we stare down billions of dollars in federal cuts to our health care system, California must do everything we can to raise needed funds. Passing Prop. 3, will ensure continued funding for essential health services like Medi-Cal," said Amanda McAllister-Wallner, Executive Director of Health Access California, a statewide health care consumer advocacy group. "Without Prop 3, billionaires would receive yet another tax cut while most of us struggle to pay for rent, food, and health care."

"For many students, the school nurse is the first health professional they see. When a family loses health coverage, our office often becomes an urgent care center,” said the President of the California School Nurses Organization, Katie Nilsson, MSN, RN, CPN, PHN “Prop 3 protects local schools and health care for children and their families together. That is why school nurses are voting Yes on Prop 3." 

“Nurses have been sounding the alarm as the Trump administration rips one trillion dollars out of Medicaid, threatening care for 3.4 million Californians,” said Michelle Gutierrez-Vo, RN, President, California Nurses Association. “Prop 3 keeps millionaires and billionaires paying their fair share – protecting billions for our schools and freeing up state funding for Medi-Cal and children’s health care. Letting these rates expire would hand the wealthiest a tax cut while our patients pay the price. Nurses are voting Yes on Prop 3.”

“The major determinants of health are the conditions in which our patients live and learn. When children or their families lose Medi-Cal coverage, or their schools lose funding – physicians see the consequences in the doctor’s office,” said Board President, Robert M. Gould, MD with San Francisco Bay Physicians for Social Responsibility. “Prop 3 keeps the wealthiest Californians paying their fair share – protecting billions for public schools and freeing up state funding for Medi-Cal and children’s health care.”

Since 2012, these voter-approved rates have generated roughly $120 billion for schools and other critical services. Medi-Cal is one of the biggest things the state pays for. Prop 3 helps pay what the state owes schools by law, which leaves more room in the budget for health care. Without Prop 3, families could lose preventive care, affordable prescriptions, and the coverage millions of Californians rely on.

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