The California State budget priorities and the plan to tackle the challenges the state faces

The teleconference was hosted by Ethnic Media Services California with Governor Gavin Newsom on May 28th. Ding Ding TV was an honor to be invited and participating in this teleconference. Please find the meeting minutes below for the teleconference.

Location: N/A [Teleconference]

Date: May 28th, 2019

Time: 2:00pm-2:50pm

Topic:  The 2020 California State budget priorities and the plan to tackle the challenges the state faces

Attendance:

• Host: Ethnic Media Service
• Speaker: Gov. Gavin Newsom
• Attendees: Asian Pacific Islander media

Action Items:

1. Recovering from the damage of elimination of personal mandate on a federal level.

1-1. Re-establishing a personal mandate for all. Doing so will not only drive down the cost of the premium but will also allow the government to increase subsidies for low incomes.

1-2. Last year, when the Trump administration eliminated the personal mandate, the state of Massachusetts was not impacted as much due to them having an individual mandate. So in theory, it will.

2. Fixing the shortage of physicians in the rural area.

2-1. Dedicating total of 120 million dollars to loan repayment for doctors serving the medical, incentifying more people to join.

2-2. Another 70 million dollars goes to high-end users.

3. True universal health care focusing on prevention.

3-1. Everyone gets healthcare up to 26 years old regardless of their immigration status.

3-2. Roughly 463,000 members of the Asian Pacific Islander community can benefit.

3-3. According to their estimate, this will cost the same if not less than the sick care which is already in play.

4. Addressing the homelessness issue

4-1. Homelessness is becoming a critical issue in California, with around 43% increase of people becoming qualified as homeless.

4-2. 1 billion dedicated to this issue to slow down the growth of homeless rate, 65% goes to the most challenge cities and counties, the rest goes to projects that help homeless people get back on their feet.

4-3. Significantly increase investment in mental health, workforce training, and others.

5. Defending the sanctuary state status

5-1. California had pardoned 2 people that were going to be deported by the trump administration.

Questions Taken:

1. Other ways to drive down the cost of Medicare?

1-1. Planning on becoming a single purchaser, this would save around 400 billion compared to what we are doing now.

1-2. Other healthcare models are also in consideration for long term process.

2. What about the high house price?

2-1. There are some of the actions being taken to lower the housing issue, a budget total of 1.75 billion dollars with more plans rolling out later this year.

3. Plans for veterans community?

3-1. They will benefit from the homelessness bill mentioned above.

3-2. There will be a hotline that deals with mental health and suicides as well, assuming the bill passes.

Record by Ding Ding TV/ Alwin Lin