For Planning Purposes April 23, 2013

Contact: Molly Weedn 916-551-2069

**MEDIA ADVISORY - Wednesday 11:30 AM**

New Statewide Health Care Coalition Announces Unprecedented Campaign to Implement Health Reform, Oppose Medi-Cal Cuts
Sacramento - Californias vast and diverse network of health care providers including physicians, dentists, hospitals, health plans, health care workers and caregivers from every corner and community in our state, are coming together in a united, unprecedented way in their vision to see the Affordable Care Act (ACA) implemented successfully in California. The first focus of the group, We Care for California, is the passage of SB 640 (Lara and Mitchell) and AB 900 (Alejo). These bills will stop the implementation of a 10 percent rate cut to Californias Medicaid program (Medi-Cal), which is already the lowest in the nation. Co-sponsored by the California Medical Association, California Medical Association, California Academy of Family Physicians, California Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, California Hospital Association and SEIU-UHW and co-authored by Assemblymember Holly Mitchell (D-Culver City), the bill stops cuts that would severely cut resources at a time when millions of patients are becoming newly eligible for health insurance across the state. We Care for Californias commitment to a successful implementation of the ACA starts with SB 640 and AB 900 and together with the dozens of stakeholder groups involved, will roll out the coalitions vision before SB 640 is heard in Senate Health Committee tomorrow. Who: We Care for California (members include the California Medical Association, California Dental Association, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, California Association of Physician Groups, California Hospital Association, Dignity Health, Health Net, Kaiser Permanente, Molina Healthcare, SEIU-UHW and the California Primary Care Association) Senator Ricardo Lara Assemblymember Luis Alejo Assemblymember Holly Mitchell Alliance for Patient Care Coalition Members Plaintiffs in the Medi-Cal Lawsuit (California Medical Association, California Dental Association, California Hospital Association, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, American Medical Response and the Chain Drug Stores Association) Emergency Vehicles, which would be impacted by the cuts What: Launch of We Care for California and stakeholder gathering of groups advocating for the passage of SB 640 and AB 900 When: Wednesday, April 24, 11:30 AM Where: Traffic Circle (Across from West Steps of Capitol)