Contact: Molly Weedn | molly@weednpa.com
Reckless initiative will have devastating impact for hundreds of thousands of San Diegans who rely on community health centers for essential health care
San Diego, CA – Today, representatives from community clinics, health advocacy groups, provider organizations and more gathered together ahead of the California Democratic Party’s meeting in San Diego to urge voters to oppose Proposition 44.
Sunday also marks the start of National Health Center Week, an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association of Community Health Centers to raise awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America’s community health centers.
“Proposition 44 will be devastating for patients here in San Diego and across California,” said Maria Carriedo, MD, President, San Diego County Medical Society. “The measure includes arbitrary requirements that will take important resources away from patient care, which will result in patients having to depend on emergency rooms rather than the preventative services that keep communities healthy.”
An independent study by the Berkeley Research Group found that Prop 44 would cut $1.7 billion in the first year alone from community health centers and clinics and result in 88 percent of clinics operating in negative margins. As a result, clinics that care for millions of patients every year are at significant risk of being forced to cut back on services or even shut down.
“This reckless measure was crafted in a way that will exclude funding for critical patient care and staff services, including things like medical technology, mammography and x-ray machinery, healthcare enrollment navigators and more,” said Pauline Lucatero, RN, Family Health Centers of San Diego. “Community clinics provide whole-person, whole-community care that extends well beyond the exam room. Our patients count on us for things like translation services and transportation – all of which would be at risk under Prop 44.”
Community health centers and clinics are already heavily regulated by the federal and state governments, with strict reporting requirements and audits. As not-for-profit organizations, they are required to focus resources on patient care and community benefits, not profits or shareholders.
“Millions of kids across California count on community clinics and their services to stay healthy and in school,” said Marsha Spitzer, MD, Board Member, American Academy of Pediatrics, California “That’s why the American Academy of Pediatrics, California, the California School Nurses Organization, the California School-Based Health Alliance, and the California Teachers Association have all voted to OPPOSE Proposition 44.”
“Community clinics are trusted access points for families facing barriers to care and food assistance. Clinic caseworkers and administrative staff don’t just help patients enroll in Medi-Cal; they are a vital lifeline for enrolling eligible families in CalFresh. With recent federal cuts already causing tens of thousands of San Diego families to lose their food assistance, we cannot afford to weaken the community clinic networks that help families meet their most basic needs,” said Alondra Alvarado, CEO, San Diego Hunger Coalition. “Proposition 44 jeopardizes these critical enrollment pathways, and we urge San Diegans to vote NO on this dangerous measure.”
“California’s health care system is already under severe strain as a result of budget cuts and direct attacks on the patients and communities we serve,” said Neal Ortiguerra, Senior Director of Public Affairs, Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest. “Prop 44 will make California’s health care problems even worse – increasing costs and wait times for patients already struggling to obtain the birth control, STI testing and treatment, cancer screenings, and other essential care patients need and deserve.”
For more information, visit https://noprop44.com/