The 2024 presidential election is 11 days away, and while the nation is fixated on who will occupy the Oval Office come January, Californians are also buzzing about who might take over the governor’s seat when his term concludes.
Already, several prominent politicians have declared their candidacy — Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, Senate President pro Tem Emeritus Toni Atkins, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former state Controller Betty Yee, and others. Still more are likely to throw their hat in the ring after November’s election.
One thing is certain: The next governor will grapple with significant health care policy issues that affect how hospitals and health care systems deliver care to patients. From the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) to the looming seismic building standards deadline that could close hundreds of hospitals on Jan. 1, 2030, patients and communities served by hospitals could well see their access to vital health services deteriorate.
Earlier this month, the CHA Board of Trustees met and talked with one of the gubernatorial candidates — Senator Atkins — during the first in a series of opportunities to connect with those interested in the state’s highest office. The conversation touched on the work of OHCA, seismic mandate relief, hospital financial distress, insurance company accountability, and more.
These are important moments when hospital and health system leaders representing the entire field in California can better understand candidates’ positions on critical issues. And, in turn, the future governor of California has an opportunity to better understand not only the challenges facing hospitals, but also the values of the women and men who lead these community pillars.
