In a recent government meeting, key stakeholders in California's healthcare system voiced urgent concerns regarding the deteriorating access to pediatric specialty care and the financial struggles faced by community health centers and public hospitals. Erin Kelly, executive director of the Children's Specialty Care Coalition, highlighted alarming statistics indicating that one-third of children with special healthcare needs in California are waiting over three months for specialty care appointments, with some families facing waits of over a year. This crisis is exacerbated by stagnant reimbursement rates for pediatric services, which have not increased in nearly two decades, jeopardizing access to care for the state's most vulnerable populations.

Kelly emphasized the critical need for Proposition 35, which aims to increase Medi-Cal reimbursement rates to levels comparable to Medicare. The proposition is seen as a vital step to stabilize the pediatric healthcare workforce and ensure timely access to necessary services for children with complex healthcare needs. A recent report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine underscored the importance of investing in graduate medical education and loan repayment programs to attract more medical students to pediatrics, a field that has seen a significant decline in interest.

Dr. Rakesh Patel, CEO of Neighborhood Healthcare, shared his experiences as a family physician, illustrating the disparities faced by patients reliant on Medi-Cal. He noted that while he received prompt care for his own health issue, many of his patients struggle to access specialty services, often waiting weeks or months for appointments. Patel strongly supported Proposition 35, asserting that it would enhance access to timely treatments and improve health outcomes for underserved populations.

Paul Lorenz, CEO of Santa Clara Valley Healthcare, echoed these sentiments, detailing the financial challenges faced by public healthcare systems. With a $250 million deficit last fiscal year, Lorenz stressed the need for dedicated funding to stabilize hospital financing and support the Medi-Cal network. He pointed out that many community providers are unwilling to accept Medi-Cal due to low reimbursement rates, further exacerbating healthcare inequities.

The meeting concluded with a call for continued investment in California's healthcare system, emphasizing that without the passage of Proposition 35, the state's ability to provide equitable and timely care to its residents, particularly the most vulnerable, remains at risk. Stakeholders underscored the importance of collaborative efforts to ensure that all Californians have access to the healthcare services they need.