Coalition Praises Senate’s Continued Support of a “Fair Share” Proposal and Urges Assembly and Governor to Match Senate’s Bold Action on Health Care

SACRAMENTO, CA – The Fight For Our Health coalition – led by SEIU California, Health Access California, and the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network – applauded the California Senate for continuing their support of a “Fair Share Contribution” in its updated budget proposal, which would require large corporations to contribute to protecting the health care coverage their own workers depend on. The Senate’s action reflects the clear will of California voters: a recent statewide poll found overwhelming support for requiring large corporations to contribute to Medi-Cal by a 4-to-1 margin — 76% in favor, with majority support in every region of the state.

“The California Senate is showing real leadership at a moment when millions of Californians need it most,” said Rachel Linn Gish, Interim Deputy Director, Health Access California. “The Senate’s proposal holds corporations accountable when they benefit from a trillion-dollar federal tax break funded by the same health care dollars millions of Californians depend on to survive. Many of those Californians go to work every day for these same corporations — and still can’t afford health care without Medi-Cal. Their employers pay nothing toward that coverage. The Senate is moving to change that.

“This is the result of sustained advocacy from patients, workers, and families across the state. We are grateful for the Senate’s forward-thinking proposal — and we are calling on the Assembly and the Governor to follow their lead. We must act now to save health care for millions of Californians.”

The Senate will be in discussions with the Assembly and the Governor’s Office over the coming weeks to finalize the budget. The details of the Senate budget plan can be found here.

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