Measure will force clinics across the Bay Area to close
Contact: Molly Weedn | molly@weednpa.com
San Francisco, CA – Dozens of community based organizations, patients, doctors, school counselors and community clinic workers joined together in San Francisco to urge voters to oppose Proposition 44.
The measure, a dangerous attack on clinics, would have a devastating impact on millions of patients across the Bay Area who rely on community clinics for their health care.
“As a physician, I’m opposed to Prop 44 because it would cut billions of dollars from community clinics, forcing clinics to cut essential services and close, jeopardizing access to care for millions of patients,” said Dr. John Murphy, Chief Medical Officer, La Clinica. “Community health clinics are built by and for the communities they serve. We provide trusted, high-quality care that reflects our patients’ cultures, languages, and needs and Prop 44 would put that care at risk.”
“Prop 44 would put access to care at California’s community health clinics at risk for nearly 7 million patients, including children and families,” said Dr Allison Crisp, Chief Medical Officer, Communicare+OLE. “Doctors, nurses and leading healthcare organizations are opposed to Prop 44 because protecting access to care means protecting the health and future of the children and families who depend on it.”
Prop 44 has major legal flaws that financially penalize clinics if they spend resources on important staff and patient services. These legal flaws and penalties would force clinics to cut back on patient enrollment navigators, translation services, transportation, chief medical and nursing officers and even limit how clinics can upgrade or expand.
“I have been participating in the “Holistic Healing Sessions” offered by AHS (Asian Health Services) for some time. Here, I have learned Tai Chi, Qigong, and acupuncture, as well as gained health knowledge from diverse cultural perspectives,” said Lai Ping Li, Asian Health Services Patient. “These services are vital to our community. I sincerely hope that the needs of community residents are prioritized and that these valuable health programs and interpretation services are not cut by Prop 44.”
“My family and I have relied on our community clinic for decades, and I’m proud to also serve as a patient board member. I’ve seen firsthand how patients help shape the care we receive, said Mark Beasley, Patient Board Member, Equity Health. “Prop 44 would undermine that patient-centered care model, putting essential services at risk and making it harder for patients to access the care they need and deserve.”
Prop 44 is also unnecessary. Community health clinics are heavily regulated by the federal and state government with mandatory spending requirements, public audits and reporting of clinic spending.
“California’s health care system is already in crisis – wait times are too long, costs are too high and attacks on patients and clinics are rampant,” said Christian Garcia, Vice President, Government Relations and Communications, Planned Parenthood Northern California. “Prop 44 will add even more hurdles for patients struggling to get birth control, STI testing, cancer screenings and other critical, life saving care.” Nearly 300 organizations and more than 1,000 clinics across the state have joined in opposition to Proposition 44. For a full list of the coalition, visit: https://noprop44.com/our-coalition/