Advocates Celebrate Budget Commitment of Future Health Equity Funds

For Immediate Release
June 28, 2021
Contact: Monika Lee, (858) 353-7271

Sacramento, CA — A statewide coalition for a proposed Health Equity and Racial Justice Fund released the following statement in response to the joint budget agreement between Governor Newsom and the California legislature for FY 2021-2022.

This proposal is supported by: Asian Pacific Partners for Empowerment, Advocacy and Leadership (APPEAL), Black Women for Wellness Action Project, California Black Health Network, California Black Women’s Health Project, California Latinas for Reproductive Justice, California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, Latino Coalition for a Healthy California, Public Health Advocates, Public Health Institute, Roots Community Health, Roots of Change and nearly 350 other organizations and individuals from across the state.

“Our coalition thanks the legislature and Governor for prioritizing a historic $300 million annual commitment of funds starting in 2022-2023 “for local health jurisdictions, health equity and racial justice innovation grants, and public health workforce development programs.”

“We look forward to working alongside the Governor, legislators, and policy makers in fully and swiftly implementing the California Health Equity and Racial Justice Fund. The pandemic underscored the urgency of addressing rampant health disparities across our state, where Black, Indigenous, people of color, low income people, and LGBTQ+ people experience worse health outcomes and shorter life spans.

“Our innovative fund intervenes in these unjust outcomes and will provide grants to community-based organizations, clinics and tribal organizations to address health disparities. Racism is deeply rooted in our policies, budgets, and systems and it is long past time to remove barriers to health and barriers to health determinants like housing, education, food, and more.

“Health equity and racial justice are inextricably linked and the path toward a more just and equitable future depends on creating better health outcomes, starting with listening to what communities need most and shifting power to their hands.

“We urge Governor Newsom to sign this historic budget and to work closely with advocates, community-based organizations, clinics, tribal organizations, and all stakeholders to ensure the commitment of funds becomes a reality.”