“The people pushing Prop. 40 say it’s supposed to improve healthcare. That’s not true.”
SACRAMENTO, CA — With the election one month out and ballots soon arriving in mailboxes, the No on Proposition 40 coalition today released a new statewide ad featuring doctors and Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California warning that the measure will not improve healthcare in California. Instead they detail how Proposition 40 will “cost California billions in tax revenue” and force “deep cuts to hospitals and clinics” while “90% of the money could go to big health insurance companies with no requirement to lower your healthcare costs.”
“Californians should know that Proposition 40 will not deliver on its promise to fix our healthcare problems,” said California Medical Association President Dr. René Bravo, M.D., who was featured in the ad. “Instead, it will worsen the state’s budget challenges and put billions of dollars at risk of flowing to health insurance companies, without any guarantee that patients will see better access to care or lower healthcare costs.”
This ad, which is now airing statewide across television, digital, and streaming platforms, features three California doctors. A transcript is below:
| Dr. C. Freeman, M.D., Marina Del Rey, CA | The people pushing Prop. 40 say it’s supposed to improve healthcare. That’s not true. |
| Dr. René Bravo, M.D., President, California Medical Association | That’s why we oppose Prop. 40. |
| Dr. Nicole Barnett, M.D., President, Planned Parenthood Northern California Action Fund | Because studies show it will cost California billions in tax revenue. Forcing deep cuts to hospitals and clinics. |
| Dr. Bravo | 90% of the money could go to big health insurance companies. |
| Dr. Freeman | With no requirement to lower your healthcare costs. |
| Dr. Bravo | That’s why doctors, |
| Dr. Freeman | Hospitals, |
| Dr. Barnett | and Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California all agree: |
| Dr. Bravo | Vote No. |
| Dr. Freeman | Vote No. |
| Dr. Barnett | Vote No on 40. |
Today’s ad is being released ahead of a visit to California from Bernie Sanders, the senior U.S. Senator from Vermont, for events organized by proponents of Proposition 40. In response, Governor Gavin Newsom reiterated his opposition to Proposition 40 earlier this week: “I’m with firefighters, I’m with Planned Parenthood. You know my position is well established on that.”
The concerns raised by doctors in this ad have also been echoed in recent days by other leaders, including former Rep. Katie Porter (“Don’t be fooled by the California billionaire tax’s false progressive bravado”) and former California Department of Health Care Services director Jennifer Kent (“Prop. 40 lacks spending safeguards to ensure it improves care”).
They are joined in opposition to Proposition 40 by teachers, small business owners, community clinics, labor unions, firefighters, civil rights leaders, healthcare providers, first responders, affordable housing organizations, working families and many others. Together, they warn that this measure is bad for California’s budget, economy, and future.
Leading organizations standing against Proposition 40 include: the California Teachers Association (CTA), Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC), State Building & Construction Trades Council of California, California Children’s Hospital Association, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 11, Housing California, California Primary Care Association (CPCA), California Professional Firefighters (CPF), California Medical Association (CMA), United Domestic Workers / AFSCME Local 3930, and many more. Here’s what they’re saying about the measure.
The coalition’s detailed fact-check on the false and misleading claim that Proposition 40 will address California’s healthcare needs is here.
Previous ads released by the campaign, spotlighting the strength and depth of the No on 40 coalition can be found here.