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In a state as diverse as California, keeping our eye on the ball of advancing health equity is critical work. Thanks for what you are doing within your own organizations to understand and address health inequities in care delivery and to be a partner in your community addressing social determinants of health.
For our part, CHA is engaging in state policy on your behalf as a trusted partner and a trusted resource in the effort to advance health equity. This legislative session, CHA lent the hospital voice to a series of bills — each intended to improve health status and health outcomes for Californians.
These bills have provided an opportunity to work with new partners with whom we share a goal of health improvement. These partners include the Western Center on Law & Poverty, The Children’s Partnership, the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, California Immigrant Policy Center, Nourish California, Leading Age, Justice in Aging, the Corporation for Supportive Housing, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Disability Rights California, and others.
Here’s a snapshot of where these bills stand today:
- Support for Assembly Bill 1057, to codify the California home visiting program to support pregnant people and parents with young children who live in communities that face greater risks and barriers to achieving positive maternal and child health outcomes. This bill was vetoed by Gov. Newsom and CHA will continue to advocate on this issue.
- Support for Assembly Bill 1202, to require the Department of Health Care Services to produce an analysis on Medi-Cal providers needed to ensure plan compliance with the time or distance and appointment time standards for pediatric primary care. This bill was vetoed by Gov. Newsom and CHA will continue to advocate on this issue.
- Support for Assembly Bill 311, to enhance the California Food Assistance Program. This bill did not advance to the governor’s desk this year and CHA will continue to advocate on this issue in 2024.
- Support for Senate Bill 37, to expand the older adults and adults with disabilities housing stability program. This bill did not advance to the governor’s desk this year and CHA will continue to advocate on this issue in 2024.
On CHA’s website, a new health equity section provides the latest equity-related learning opportunities, advocacy news, and perspectives. A new interactive data tool provides community health profiles for each of California’s state and federal legislative districts. This tool enables users to view key health indicators in each district and compare those data to the state as a whole. The aim is to provide a deeper understanding of differences in health status across California.
These are additions to the long-term work in which the field is engaged to ensure that all Californians get the health care they need and the social support to achieve their highest potential for health.
