Protect Access CA

There has never been a more important time to ensure that Californians have access to quality, affordable health care. More than 7 million Californians get their care from Community Health Centers. Learn more ➡️ https://protecthealthaccess.org/

Trial attorneys are at it again. A single, wealthy out-of-state trial lawyer who personally stands to be further enriched by its passage is funding an initiative on California’s November 2022 ballot. As written, the measure would effectively eliminate California’s medical lawsuit limits by creating a new and broadly defined category of malpractice lawsuits, resulting in new financial windfalls for trial attorneys, while costing the state and local communities hundreds of millions of dollars in increased health costs and increasing financial stress and provider shortages in communities.

Learn more about the initiative and how you can get involved to oppose it at protectmicra.org.

Did you know: In 2015, CA's federally qualified health centers served more than 4 million patients, most of them from underserved communities

On World Health Day, we appreciate our coalition partners who provide behavioral health services to those who need it most

Tarzana Treatment Centers provide healthcare services to Los Angeles County, Orange County, the San Fernando Valley, and Antelope Valley. MICRA helps keep their administrative costs down so they can focus on what matters most: the health of their patients.

MICRA helps to safeguard access to high risk care among vulnerable patient populations. That's why La Clínica de La Raza and hundreds of other community-based health centers are working to protect MICRA. Learn more here: http://micra.org/specifics-of-micra/protecting-vulnerable-populations/

MICRA is critical in protecting community clinics like Harbor Community Clinic that can least afford skyrocketing costs. Learn more about how MICRA protects the clinics that serve our state's most vulnerable patients at http://micra.org/specifics-of-micra/preserving-access-and-affordability/.

California safety-net providers serve millions of uninsured patients, the majority of whom are women and children. Weakening MICRA’s intent or protections will increase health care costs and reduce access to health care services, especially among those who need it most.

DYK: MICRA allows for injured patients to receive unlimited compensation for any and all economic damages including any and all past and future medical expenses, lost wages and punitive damage recovery. An additional $250,000 in non-economic damages can also be awarded. The average size of medical liability awards has increased faster than the rate of inflation under MICRA. Learn more at http://micra.org.

El Dorado Community Health Center is a primary care center that serves El Dorado County and provides a full range of family practice services. MICRA helps to keep clinics like EDCHC accessible to all patients. Learn more about how MICRA protects the most vulnerable among us at http://micra.org/specifics-of-micra/protecting-vulnerable-populations/.

Because MICRA protects access to health care, California now has some of the lowest malpractice premiums in the United States and the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Hospital Association (AHA) hail it as a “model.” Other states aren't so lucky. In fact, a new study shows that high malpractice premiums contribute to New York being ranked the second worst state to practice medicine.

Study: New York is second worst state to work as a doctor Study: New York is second worst state to work as a doctor