The Latino Coalition for a Healthy California (LCHC) celebrates historic investments in the final 2022-23 State Budget agreement including investments to advance healthcare and food access for undocumented immigrants, and urgently needed investments in reproductive rights
Yesterday, Governor Newson signed the 2022-23 California State Budget Act–$300 billion total– which includes historic investments that will not just improve, but fundamentally change the lives of Latinxs throughout California. As federal rights are stripped at the national level through draconian U.S. Supreme Court rulings, California is expanding the human right to health by investing another year of historic surplus resources into critical safety net programs for the most impacted communities. However, this final State Budget fails to meet the moment in critical health equity areas: earlier implementation for these newly expanded healthcare and food access programs, community-led solutions to address health inequities in our state, and supporting workforce pipelines for undocumented promotores/community health workers. California has an opportunity to invest in community-based strategies and determinants that will positively impact the health and well-being of Latinxs. LCHC looks forward to continuing to work with the Governor and the Legislature to build a healthy California for all.
LCHC Budget Priorities
- Health4All
- The 22-23 budget includes historic investments to expand full scope Medi-Cal access to all regardless of immigration status. We thank champions Asm. Arambula, and Sen. Durazo for their leadership in this historic victory. The expansion of full healthcare access to all Californians, regardless of immigration status, is a historic win for immigrants that continues to put California at the forefront of achieving universal health coverage. This most recent expansion of Health4All is a culmination of a ten-year campaign that has kept a laser-focus on the critical need to expand access to undocumented Californians so that all Californians may be healthy. Now this coverage of the last remaining population between the ages of 26-49 makes California a leader in making healthcare a human right.
- Food4All
- LCHC also celebrates the historic investment to support food access to all Californians, regardless of immigration status, starting with ages 55 and over with a pathway to expand to all ages. Undocumented Latinxs reported higher levels of food insecurity than other populations in California and experience unique barriers to access food assistence. The lack of affordable food is also being exacerbated by the highest level of inflation that we have seen in decades. Food is a human right and the historic Food4All will ensure more Californians have the food they need to live and thrive.
Additional Investments – Reproductive Health
The overturning of Roe v Wade sent a shock through the country late last week. The reproductive choices of a person are deeply personal and should remain a choice in this country. Latinas across the nation will be impacted by this senseless decision as we know that 25% of women having abortions are Latina. As people flock to states where abortion remains legal, the Governor and the Legislature have, in an act to continue protecting choice, invested $200 million, including $15 million for the Reproductive Justice and Freedom Fund to conduct medically accurate and culturally competent outreach and education on sexual health and reproductive health issues.
“We have witnessed another year of historic surplus in our State’s economy, yet our Latinx communities continue to face the real life impacts of COVID-19, rising costs of living, and threats at the National level to our civil rights. The combined efforts of the Legislature and Governor in this historic budget include the first-in-the-nation to remove immigrant exclusions to healthcare for all and food access for those 55 and older. To fully meet the moment, we need earlier implementation for these programs, community-led solutions to address health equity and racial justice in our state, and investments in the Latinx health professions pipelines for ITIN holders. We look forward to continuing to work with partners at the State level to continue building a healthy California for all.” said Dr. Jeffrey Reynoso, Executive Director, LCHC
What is still left to do?
- Earlier implementation of Health4All and Food4All expansions
- Health4All – No Age Outs. We applaud the combined efforts of the Governor and the Legislature in this bold and historic milestone for California. LCHC will continue to engage in the implementation of Health4All as we urge the Governor to implement this expansion as early as possible to ensure that no one loses life-saving healthcare coverage.
- Food4All Full Expansion, regardless of status and age. As California leads the way to full coverage with this first expansion of nutrition benefits beginning with adults 55 and over, we look forward to continuing to work with the Governor and the Legislature to cover the remaining population of Californians that need nutrition assistance.
- Fund Health Equity and Racial Justice Directly
- Expanding our safety net is essential to a more equitable California, however, addressing the root causes of our system’s inequities will prevent vulnerable Californians from experiencing negative health and life outcomes in the first place. We must fund innovative solutions, like the Health Equity and Racial Justice Fund, that aim to empower communities to tackle systemic racism and that ensure that our resources generate greater positive health and life outcomes for communities of color. Unfortunately, the Administration has not shown the same support to directly fund health equity and racial justice. We call on the Governor to support this initiative.
- Invest in Latinx health professions pipelines for ITIN holders
- The Budget includes significant investments in the health workforce to address critical issues facing the State ranging from dementia, homelessness and climate health. This includes $350 million in one-time funding to recruit, train, and certify 25,000 new community health workers (CHWs) by 2025. Unfortunately, these health workforce investments are not inclusive of undocumented workers. The State needs a Latinx specific workforce development strategy for healthcare, public health and allied professions. This is why LCHC is advocating for the inclusion of ITIN workers in CHW and other healthcare workforce development programs.
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About LCHC:
Founded in 1992, the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California (LCHC) is the only Latinx-led statewide policy and advocacy organization protecting and advancing Latinx health equity. We are a cross-sector coalition of community leaders, advocates, policy advisors, administrators and providers united by our common belief in protecting Latinx health and advancing health equity for all. Our work consists of community-centered programming, policy and advocacy development, and strategic communications.
