Our nation’s health care system is financially inaccessible for too many people — especially in California where the cost of living is second-highest in the country. Hospitals, a pillar of the system and often the largest employer in their communities, understand the challenges and have been working for years to slow the rate of growth in health care spending. But making a real difference for Californians will take an equal effort from others: insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, doctors, government agencies, labor unions, and more. California’s hospitals stand ready to do their part and are eager to work with other stakeholders to tackle this challenge.