Coalition Seeks to Increase Medi-Cal Rates to Medicare Levels

Sacramento – Preceding today’s joint legislative informational hearing to address pitfalls within California’s Medicaid system (Medi-Cal), Senate Health Committee Chair Ed Hernandez and Assembly Health Committee Chair Rob Bonta joined healthcare providers, patients and advocates on the steps of the Capitol. Newly introduced, legislation to restore a 10 percent cut to Medi-Cal reimbursement goes a step further than in past efforts by proposing that Medi-Cal payments to providers be on par with what Medicare pays for the same services.

 “Expanding access to health care coverage, as we have done under the ACA, is a significant accomplishment but in order to truly be revolutionary that coverage must be accompanied by meaningful access to a provider,” said Senator Hernandez. “Unfortunately, millions of Californians in the Medi-Cal program lack that access because we pay providers an embarrassingly low rate. A Medi-Cal card needs to be more than an empty promise.”    

(SACRAMENTO, CA) - With a single piece of legislation, AB 1240, state legislators took a bold step today to boost academic performance, revitalize California’s limited school breakfast program and more effectively manage existing funding. AB 1240, introduced by Assemblymembers  Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) and Tony Thurmond (D-Richmond), calls for  practical fixes to improve access to the  school breakfast program and ensure more students start their school day well-nourished and ready to learn.

“Even students with the best teachers and curriculum will struggle to learn if they come to school hungry,” said Assemblymember Rob Bonta. “Research has consistently shown that hungry kids can’t focus at school, making it difficult for them to be productive and engaged students. By giving students the basic opportunity to nourish themselves and thrive in a positive educational environment, AB 1240 offers a simple solution to help address California’s achievement gap.”

Speaker appoints Assemblymembers Bonta and Jones-Sawyer, Sr. to chair committee to improve the lives of boys and men of color

(Oakland, CA) Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) is proud to announce that Speaker Toni Atkins appointed him Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color in California, alongside Assemblymember Reginald Jones-Sawyer, Sr. (D- Los Angeles).

As the first and only Filipino American ever elected to serve in the California State Legislature and as a father raising a son of Black Puerto Rican, Asian, and European heritage, Bonta is personally invested in and committed to improving the life outcomes of young boys and men of color: “One of my first acts as an Assemblymember was to request to serve as a member on the Select Committee and I’ve been an active participant over the past two years under the skilled stewardship of former Assemblymember Steven Bradford. I’m honored to continue his work, as well as the strong leadership of my predecessor in the Assembly, former Assemblymember Sandré R. Swanson, who created the Select Committee over four years ago. 

Vargas says getting his license was the “happiest day” of his life

Jose Antonio Vargas presents his new driver’s license to the crowd during Tuesday’s press conference at the State Capitol.

(Sacramento, CA) – Assemblymembers Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), Evan Low (D-San Jose), and Luis Alejo (D-Salinas) were honored this week to welcome Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, filmmaker, and the founder of Define American, Jose Antonio Vargas, to the State Capitol to highlight why the Safe and Responsible Driver Act (AB 60) and the President’s Immigration Accountability Executive Action are important to the Asian Pacific Islander community.