Despite significant health equity progress, stakeholders say California needs to do more

In spite of California’s historic health equity investments this year, advocates say more must be done to address inequities in the state’s health care system.

The FY 2021-2022 budget made significant expansions to Medi-Cal eligibility, covered community health workers through Medi-Cal, and allocated $24.6 million to health equity research and programs. But equity-focused leaders say the state needs to take more action — in particular, implement the proposed Health Equity and Racial Justice Fund.

PHI, CPEHN, and other community organizations like the California Black Women’s Health Project and the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California, support dedicating a portion of that committed money to establishing the fund next year.