Support the California Health Equity Fund

A legacy of structural racism and inadequate funding for community-based solutions has led to a disproportionate burden of largely preventable, pre-existing health, economic and community conditions, including a lack of affordable housing and a lack of stable, well-paying employment opportunities. Communities impacted by some or all of these conditions include: Latinx, Black, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Asian American, American Indian, LGBTQ+, and low-income Californians. In addition, social impacts due to COVID-19 such as prolonged school closures and limited access to supportive resources are exacerbating risks of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

But we have an opportunity—and an imperative—to build back better. For our children, for our communities, and for our future. Right now, the CA Black Health Network, Latino Coalition for a Healthy California, Public Health Institute, Roots of Change and the Asian Pacific Partnership for Action, Empowerment and Leadership are supporting AB 1038 (Gipson) and the accompanying one-time $180 million budget request to create a California Health Equity Fund.

Act now:

Join us (virtually) on Tuesday, April 20 at 1:30pm, at the California State Assembly hearing where AB 1038 will be heard. Call in and voice a “me too” vote when the bill is heard. You can use this link the day of to join, and see agenda and information on the hearing on the Assembly Hearings page

Send an organizational letter of support. Thank you to the groups who have already signed onto the group letter of support and submitted a letter of support for the budget proposal. Join PHI and partners in taking action for the California Health Equity Fund: Submit an organizational letter in support of AB 1038 and the budget request. Letters must be submitted in two ways by Friday, April 16.

Download the template letter of support

Please use the above template letter of support (letters must include your organization’s logo and a signature) and:

1. Email your PDF letter to: SBUD.committe@senate.ca.gov and CC: Emmanuel.Aguayo@asm.ca.gov, kiara.gonzalezgarcia@phi.org.
2. Submit your letter via California Legislature Position Letter Portal

Learn more about the California Health Equity Fund

PHI and partners are requesting $60 million per year over three years as a one-time appropriation of $180 million to launch a California Health Equity Fund, to engage communities most severely impacted by the pandemic in selecting and implementing policy, systems and environmental change strategies to mitigate the health and social impacts of COVID-19.

This fund would provide dedicated resources to community-based organizations, clinics, tribal organizations and local health departments, to partner with communities of color and low-income communities in identifying the most pressing health and social issues wrought by COVID-19, and to develop strategies to address them, including:

• housing security
• food security & healthy food systems
• economic stability
• schools and childcare
• community violence & hate crimes, and
• health-promoting built environments & environmental justice.

Download the fact sheet

Stay connected

Follow Californians for a Health Equity Fund on Twitter at @CA_HealthEquity for updates on AB 1038 and the budget proposal, and tag us to share your support. Thank you!