HEALTHCARE

Increasing access to affordable, quality healthcare is what drove Dr. Ed Hernandez, O.D. at the age of 49 to make his first run for elected office in 2006 to the State Assembly. As a practicing Optometrist, State Senator Ed Hernandez has seen firsthand the devastation a lack of access to care has on our communities. He has been a champion for expanding access to quality, affordable healthcare, reducing overall healthcare costs, and addressing the provider shortage throughout our state. One of the primary architects behind the implementation of President Obama’s Affordable Care Act here in California, Senator Hernandez is:

Leading the charge in California against President Donald Trump’s effort to repeal and replace the ACA.

Continuing to secure the consumer protections enshrined in the ACA, like guaranteeing access to affordable coverage for those with pre-existing conditions.

Taking on Big Tobacco with policies that restrict youth access to their products, including authoring the bill that raised the smoking age to 21 in California.

Authored legislation to increase the number of college prep and advanced placement courses offered to high school students from disadvantaged communities.

Coauthored legislation that invested $200 million more to ensure our students are better prepared for college.

The author of the Managed Care Organization (MCO) Tax reform legislation that secured over $1 billion additional dollars for families on Medi-Cal and restored funding for programs serving the developmentally disabled.

Taking on greedy pharmaceutical companies and skyrocketing prescription drug costs by authoring tough transparency legislation that puts a spotlight on Big Pharma’s profits.

Working on expanding coverage so that access to quality care is truly universal, while developing policies that control costs in our healthcare system.

A vocal proponent for protecting women’s reproductive healthcare rights and ensuring safe, easy access to birth control, as well as protecting funding for Planned Parenthood and the crucial healthcare it provides women throughout California.

Authoring legislation that addresses California’s acute primary care provider shortage, especially in rural areas and communities of color.

An advocate for more investments in mental health treatment programs that assist patients and families who are coping with these issues.