Protect reproductive health care access for Californians in poverty

We, the undersigned, are outraged at the State of California and its irresponsibility that has forced the Women's Choice Clinic in Oakland to close its doors on thousands of patients, many of whom will find themselves without access to reproductive healthcare. Poor financial management and political intransigence have resulted in the freezing of Medi-Cal reimbursements to clinics providing direct medical service to clients. The situation is unacceptable and reprehensible, and we hold the State of California responsible.

We, the undersigned, demand that you KEEP OUR CLINICS OPEN for the women who need affordable, accessible reproductive health care. The state has a responsibility to ensure adequate access to medical care for those who cannot afford it otherwise. We call for the immediate release of Medi-Cal reimbursements to service providers.

Furthermore, we:

• *Demand state accountability for the decision to freeze Medi-Cal reimbursements and the resulting consequences for service providers;
• *Call for the reevaluation of the state budget to prioritize direct social and health services;
• *Call for the reimbursement of direct service providers' actual cost of services rendered under Medi-Cal; and
  
• *Demand that citizens in need of medical treatment not bear the brunt of the state's failings.

We appreciate your consideration and prompt action on this vital issue. We consider it a matter of basic human rights and state legitimacy.