Molly Weedn
Sacramento, CA –(2/20/26) Today, prominent civil rights and social justice organizations announced their strong opposition to the dangerous ballot measure that threatens access to care for millions of California patients who depend on community health centers and clinics.
“Community health centers provide the essential care that so many low-income individuals rely on for routine primary care visits, essential prenatal appointments, mental health services and more,” said Eric Reyes, Executive Director, Los Amigos de la Comunidad “Our mission is to increase the capacity of the underserved communities in the Imperial Valley facing socio-economic injustices, health care access disparities and institutional discrimination. This proposed ballot measure would increase health inequities and restrict access to essential care, which is why we have prioritized opposing it.”
The measure, currently collecting signatures to qualify for the November 2026 ballot, would set arbitrary requirements on how clinics provide care. The measure excludes funding for vital services that are essential to serving patients like nurse and physician managers, translation services, health care coverage enrollment navigators, patient transportation, and community outreach and education.
Research from health care economists at the Berkeley Research Group (BRG) found this measure would divert $1.7 billion from community health centers and clinics at a time when clinics are already facing difficult financial challenges and federal and state funding cuts.
“At La Cooperativa Campesina de California, our mission is rooted in ensuring our communities have stable and secure futures, which includes access to community health centers that keep our communities healthy,” said Marco Lizarraga, Executive Director, La Cooperativa Campesina de California. “That’s why we oppose this ballot measure. In rural areas like ours, community health centers are often the only source of care for hundreds of thousands of patients. Anything that reduces access to care in the region threatens the stability of the communities we serve.”
For a full coalition list, visit: https://protectpatientsca.com/our-coalition/
