May 17, 2022
On Friday, May 13, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom launched his revised budget proposal for the 2022-23 fiscal yr. The $300.7 billion budget proposal prioritizes health care and demonstrates a seamless dedication to offering common health care entry and protection for all Californians.
Among the California Medical Association (CMA) priorities included within the budget proposal are:
- Practice fairness and transformation grants ($700 million)
- Health information change technical help for small and security internet practices ($50 million)
- Additional funding for childhood vaccinations ($93 million)
- Reproductive health package deal ($57 million, as well as to funding within the governor’s January proposal)
- Youth behavioral health disaster response ($290 million)
- Opioid disaster response package deal ($41.8 million from Opioid Settlements Fund)
“The governor’s proposed budget includes important investments to reduce disparities in the health care system and improve access to and quality of care for children’s preventative health, maternity care, women’s reproductive health and integrated behavioral health services,” stated CMA President Robert E. Wailes, M.D.
CMA is happy that the budget additionally continues to shield Proposition 56 supplemental funds for Medi-Cal suppliers. “Our state is fortunate to have resources to support those who are struggling the most among us, and CMA will continue to advocate on behalf of the 13.5 million Californians that rely on critical Medi-Cal programs for their health care,” says Dr. Wailes. CMA continues to advocate for a assessment of whether or not these important funds ought to be decoupled from a declining income supply (tobacco taxes), so as to assist make sure that they continue to be totally funded in future years.
Gov. Newson’s revised budget proposal continues to fund a phased-in system to present full scope Medi-Cal protection to all earnings eligible Californians no matter age or documentation standing by January 1, 2024. This will place California to be the primary state within the nation to totally understand common health care entry and protection.
The governor’s proposal additionally acknowledges the sacrifices our health care workforce has remodeled the course of the pandemic, offering $933 million in retention funds for hospital and nursing house employees (together with physicians).
“As we enter the third year of the pandemic and our health care workforce continues to face the unprecedented crisis head-on, we applaud the governor’s plan to provide payments to retain our frontline health care workers and to boost funding for vaccinations that will protect patients and keep our communities safe and healthy,” stated Dr. Wailes.
While the governor’s revised budget proposal does shield current graduate medical training (GME) funding, CMA is urging the legislature to present extra, desperately wanted funding for GME to tackle California’s looming doctor scarcity.
Gov. Newsom’s proposed budget should nonetheless undergo the legislative course of. CMA will proceed to be energetic in conversations that have an effect on the budget and make sure that doctor voices and issues are a central part in shaping the ultimate budget.
For extra particulars concerning the budget because it relates to health care, see CMA’s budget abstract (members solely).