Contact: Molly Weedn | molly@weednpa.com
Reckless initiative would cost community health centers $1.7 B in the first year, forcing clinics to cut essential services for millions of kids or close altogether
Sacramento, CA – The California Teachers Association (CTA) has joined the California School Based Health Alliance and the California School Nurses Organization in their opposition to the dangerous measure that would divert billions away from community health centers and school-based health clinics.
“Members of the California Teachers Association are determined to fight for the safe, stable, fully-funded public schools that California students deserve, and this initiative would directly contradict our mission” said CTA President David Goldberg. “This measure would undermine the stability of school-based health centers that so many children rely on for their health care, putting students in danger and jeopardizing their learning experience. For those reasons, we oppose this dangerous measure.”
“This proposition will eliminate funding for hundreds of school-based health clinics that provide primary and specialty care for tens of thousands of California school children,” said Katie Nilsson, President of the California School Nurses Organization. “This initiative would decimate access to care for children who already face significant barriers to receiving healthcare. As school nurses, we see firsthand how critical community clinics are for so many children.”
An independent study by the Berkeley Research Group found this proposition would cut $1.7 billion from community health centers and clinics in the first year alone. Eighty-eight percent (88%) of clinics will have negative operating margins because of the proposition.
As a result, clinics that care for more than 11 million patients are at significant risk of being forced to cut back on services or even shut down.
“School-based health centers provide essential care for kids, including primary care, preventative care, mental health support and more,” said Sergio J. Morales, Executive Director, California School-Based Health Alliance. “This proposition threatens access to these essential services, leaving vulnerable kids without access to the healthcare they need.”
School-based health and wellness centers are located in schools serving some of the state’s most vulnerable children, at more than 400 locations statewide. On campuses with SBHCs, about 70% of students receive free or reduced-price meals.
Students in communities that benefit from school-based health and wellness centers are less likely to have health insurance or access to health and mental health services that address these risk factors.
“This measure is not only unnecessary but would directly interfere with what millions of kids need for a safe and healthy school experience,” Dr. Loretta Whitson, Executive Director, California Association of School Counselors. “We are proud to join the broad and growing coalition opposed to this dangerous measure.”
Community health centers are not-for-profit organizations required to focus resources on patient care and community benefits, not profits or shareholders. They are heavily regulated by the federal and state governments, with strict reporting requirements and audits, and a majority of their boards of directors must be patients of that facility, ensuring decisions reflect patient and community needs.
To learn more about this dangerous measure, and view the broad coalition in opposition, visit: https://protectpatientsca.com/