The Latino Coalition for a Healthy California brings intergenerational Latine and Indigenous community members to Sacramento to uplift voices on protecting Medi-Cal, immigrant rights, promotoras, and youth mental health.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sacramento, CA — The Latino Coalition for a Healthy California (LCHC) will host its 2025 Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. This annual event is a powerful platform for Latine and Indigenous community members to engage directly with policymakers and advocate for legislative solutions to address persistent health inequities.
This year’s event comes at a pivotal moment, as California’s Latine and Indigenous communities face growing threats to their healthcare at both the state and federal levels. The federal administration continues its efforts to cut Medicaid under the guise of reducing “waste and fraud,” while at the state level, Medi-Cal faces significant budget challenges. With over half of Medi-Cal enrollees identifying as Latine, these attacks disproportionately impact the health and well-being of our communities. At the same time, immigrant communities and essential workers are facing increased threats of deportation under aggressive federal policies.
California is the fourth-largest economy in the world, and Latine and immigrant communities are essential to its economic engine. On this day, we come together to uplift the voices, needs, and dreams of our communities, because protecting our health is vital to protecting California’s future.
“The 2025 Latine & Indigenous Day at the Capitol is a vital force for driving health equity forward in California,” said Dr. Seciah Aquino, Executive Director of LCHC. “Latine and Indigenous communities make up nearly 40% of our state’s population and are the backbone of California’s economic engine. Our fight for health equity is about honoring their resilience, protecting their well-being, and recognizing that the future of California’s prosperity depends on the health of every community member. By uplifting our voices and reshaping the systems that impact us, we are building a stronger, healthier Golden State for all.”
This year, over 60 intergenerational leaders from across California will come together to meet with legislative and administrative offices. Participants will share their lived experiences and advocate for community-centered policies that promote equity and justice. These include:
- High school students from the Gen-Z Visionary Youth Building Empowerment (Z-VYBE) program
- College students and recent graduates from LCHC’s Health Justice Fellowship
Adults, older adults, and Community Health Workers/Promotores with deep roots in the community.
New for 2025, students from LCHC’s Z-VYBE program will host an interactive art installation at the Capitol. The installation will feature original artwork and written statements from youth participants, focusing on the importance of protecting Medi-Cal and prioritizing youth mental health. This youth-led experience will provide a creative and powerful platform for self-expression and advocacy through art.
LCHC and its community members will advocate for the following legislative priorities:
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- Protecting Medi-Cal
- AB 403 – CHWPR Medi-Cal Services Transparency (LCHC Co-Sponsored)
- SB 81 (Arreguín) – Health facilities: information sharing (LCHC Co-Sponsored)
- Addressing the Latino Physician Shortage
- Increased investment in youth mental health programs and initiatives
Media Availability:
Members of the press are invited to attend the 2025 Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 30th, at Capitol Park area 33, during the following times:
- Morning Session: 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
- Afternoon Session: 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Media will have the opportunity to speak directly with LCHC staff, youth, and community leaders of color about the health equity issues impacting Latine and Indigenous communities.
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Latino Coalition for a Healthy California (LCHC) is the leading statewide policy organization with a specific emphasis on Latine & Indigenous health. For over 33 years, LCHC has worked on transforming systems to achieve health justice. We pride ourselves on translating community solutions into equitable policy and lasting systemic change. Our work focuses on legislative and administrative advocacy, people power, and narrative change.
