Proposition 35 will be a continuation of a tax which has passed from the ballot to California legislation twice before.
If passed, Proposition 35 would continue this dedicated revenue of tax dollars to fund and maintain the health care systems in California, potentially bolstering medical coverage and supporting continued health care at a reduced price. This tax will become permanent once it has been passed and will collect revenue from Managed Care Organizations across the state.
Rules are written into this tax to guarantee that taxpayer money will go into making health care more affordable, while capping administrative expenses. The estimated cost will be the continued allocation of $1 billion to $2 billion in tax funding annually.
The bill will also focus specifically on providing support to Medi-Cal related entities and institutions, enacting a more exact distribution of funds to Medi-Cal and other health programs.
The Yes On 35 coalition, a collection of medical institutions, health professionals and community clinics support this measure in tandem with bipartisan support from the Democratic and Republican parties. On their website, the coalition states, “We support this initiative to permanently use dedicated funding to help hospitals, clinics and doctors’ offices stay open.”
A no vote on Proposition 35 would end the flow of tax revenue for more affordable healthcare in California, ending the funding in 2027. Proposition 35 could potentially return to the ballot in 2028.
No official rebuttal or opposition has been stated against Proposition 35 on the California voter guide. However, the League of Women Voters of America’s website has taken a strong stance against Proposition 35, reasoning that once this tax is made permanent it will become harder for legislators to properly shape this tax in accordance with the changing needs of Californians.
The League of Women Voters also asserts that this tax has a blindspot for medical institutions and groups outside of the Medi-Cal hemisphere, potentially hindering the taxes current benefits while also affecting profit. Their website further states, “Prop 35 is a well-meaning but misguided effort to try to provide more and steady funding for Medi-Cal and potentially improve reimbursement rates for medical providers.”
