Anthony Menacho advocates for California's AB 543 to improve street medicine access

On April 22, 2025, the California Assembly Health Committee convened to discuss Assembly Bill 543, a proposed legislation aimed at enhancing healthcare access for unsheltered individuals through street medicine. The meeting highlighted the critical challenges faced by healthcare providers working with this vulnerable population, particularly the barriers that prevent timely medical interventions.

Anthony Menacho, a family medicine physician assistant and executive director of Sacramento Street Medicine, provided compelling testimony in support of the bill. He emphasized the difficulties his patients encounter in accessing necessary medical care, noting that many unsheltered individuals struggle to attend initial medical visits or follow-up appointments at traditional clinics. Menacho pointed out that essential medical orders, such as referrals for imaging or specialist consultations, often require patients to return to a brick-and-mortar facility, which can delay care for months or even years.

The proposed AB 543 seeks to address these issues by allowing street medicine providers to directly place medical orders for their patients on-site, eliminating the need for patients to navigate the complexities of returning to a clinic. This change is expected to significantly improve health outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness, as it enables immediate and consistent care where patients are most accessible.

The meeting also featured a strong show of support from various healthcare organizations and advocates, including representatives from the California Hospital Association, the County Behavioral Health Directors Association, and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, among others. Their collective endorsement underscores the widespread recognition of the need for innovative solutions to healthcare access for marginalized communities.

Assembly member Schiavo expressed gratitude for the bill and indicated a desire to co-author it, reflecting a growing legislative commitment to addressing healthcare disparities faced by unsheltered populations.

As the committee deliberates on AB 543, the discussions signal a pivotal moment in California's approach to street medicine, potentially reshaping how healthcare is delivered to some of the state's most vulnerable residents. The anticipated next steps will involve further examination of the bill's provisions and its implications for healthcare delivery systems across the state.