Dear Constituent,

California has achieved a milestone in health care access. The 2022-23 state budget agreement between the Legislature and Gov. Newsom makes California the first state in the nation to provide access to health care coverage for all residents, regardless of immigration status.

By Jan. 1, 2024, all Californians can obtain health care coverage either through Covered California, their employer, or Medi-Cal. No Californian will be left behind.

That's not the only groundbreaking investment in this year's state budget. Highlighted below are major investments our state budget will make not only in health care but also to ensure California is a national safe-haven for abortion services and reproductive care.

Abortion and Reproductive Services

• Clinic Support. $60 million for reproductive health clinics to hire, train, and retain workers and enhance security and technology.
• Expanding Abortion Services and Reproductive Care. $40 million to support abortion providers serving Medi-Cal and low-income patients who may not have health care coverage for abortions.
• Support for those seeking reproductive services. $40 million to establish a website with information on where and how to access abortion and reproductive services statewide, as well as grants for nonprofit organizations and health care providers to conduct outreach and assist patients overcome barriers to abortion care, such as the cost of travel, meals, lodging, and child care.

Health Care

• Medi-Cal Expansion. Provides Medi-Cal to all income-eligible Californians, regardless of immigration status, by no later than Jan. 1, 2024.
  • Coupled with previous expansions of Medi-Cal and Covered California (the state's version of Obamacare), the new expansion means all Californians will have access to health care coverage by 2024.
• Keeping Covered California Affordable. $304 million to help keep deductibles and copays low for Covered California enrollees.
• Public Health Infrastructure. $300 million for vital state/local public health infrastructure.
• Special Needs Dental Clinics. $50 million for dental surgical clinics and specialty dental clinics.
• Worker Retention. Stipends to health care workers most impacted during the pandemic.
• Workforce Development and Training. To expand California's behavioral health, public health and primary care, clinic and reproductive health care workforce.

Mental Health

• Behavioral Health Bridge Housing. $1.5 billion over two years for immediate, clinically supported temporary housing for homeless people with serious mental illness.
• Youth Suicide Prevention and Behavioral Health. $290 million for youth suicide prevention and behavioral health.
• Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Programs for Youth. $10 million to develop and promote high quality peer-to-peer mental health support programs for youth.

As chair of the Senate's Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, it was my honor to work on this year's transformative budget. Please be on the lookout for future e-newsletters regarding other major aspects of the historic 2022-23 state budget. And in case you missed it, here is my e-newsletter from last week, highlighting the state's record-breaking investments in public education.

It is a privilege serving as your state Senator.

Sincerely,

Nancy Skinner
State Senator, District 

P.S. You can follow me on Facebook and Twitter for more updates from the Capitol and throughout Senate District 9.