Standing Up for Healthcare Access

For far too many of our neighbors, access to quality, affordable healthcare is not a given. And over the past year, it’s been made painfully clear that it’s something we have to fight for. While the federal government continues to threaten healthcare access and funding, I’ve made it a top priority to advance a legislative package this year that protects patients, closes gaps in care and holds our healthcare system accountable to the people it serves.

Affordability remains one of the biggest barriers to care. That’s why I introduced AB 2208 to protect Medi-Cal recipients from some of the most harmful aspects of President Donald Trump’s administration’s H.R. 1, such as increasing out-of-pocket costs for working people. My bill limits cost sharing to just one penny, preserves retroactive coverage and improves how patients receive and understand information about their benefits. These are real, practical fixes that will make a difference in whether someone can access care when they need it.

I firmly believe that healthcare should meet people where they are. That’s the driving force behind my bill, AB 2081, which expands access to home-based care through the Medi-Cal Home and Community Based Alternatives Waiver program. Right now, thousands of eligible Californians are stuck on waiting lists because there are not enough waiver slots available. Without access to care at home, many are forced into institutional settings, even when that is not what they want and not what is best for them. By increasing the number of waiver slots, we can help people receive care in the comfort of their homes, improve quality of life and save taxpayer dollars, since care at home is often far less expensive than institutional care.

Right now is also a crucial moment to step up and support the healthcare workforce so we can all continue to receive the care we need. AB 1696 will ensure that nurse-midwives can provide emergency services within the full scope of their training without unnecessary supervision requirements. Nurse-midwives do incredible work, and it’s past time we fully recognize that by aligning policy with the reality of their role.

Similarly, my bill AB 2240 addresses a longstanding issue in private duty nursing. When nurses are improperly classified or under-reimbursed, patients suffer. This bill ensures that providers are supported so they can continue delivering critical in-home care to those who rely on it.

Healthcare access also extends beyond traditional healthcare settings. Through AB 2540, the Community College Student Right to Access Act, I’m working to expand access to medication abortion services at community college health centers. These services already exist at all University of California and California State University campuses, and it’s fundamentally unfair not to provide the same access to community college students. Many of these students are balancing work, family and financial constraints, and they face real barriers to accessing off-campus care. When services aren’t available on campus, access is effectively denied.

Taken altogether, these bills reflect my commitment to protecting access to care and making sure our healthcare system works for everyone. At a time when the federal government is working to roll back progress, California has to lead.

For our neighbors, the stakes are incredibly high. This is about whether a senior can remain in their home, whether a student can access care on campus and whether a family can afford treatment without going into debt. I will continue fighting for policies that meet these real-world needs and ensure every Californian can access the care they deserve.

Assemblymember Catherine Stefani represents California’s 19th Assembly District, which includes the west side of San Francisco and northern San Mateo County. She can be reached at 415-557-2312 or Assemblymember.Stefani@assembly.ca.gov.