AMERICA’S HEALTH WAS ON THE BALLOT Sandra R. Hernández, MD, MPH The 2020 election was the the core principles of our democmost consequential election of racy: equal protection under the our time. The well-being of the law, unfettered voting rights, and nation was on the ballot. equal opportunity for all. This Former vice president Joe election’s voting has ended, but Biden appears to have won the the important work of strengthWhite House, though the elecening and protecting our demoction has yet to be officially certiracy must not rest. What does this mean for fied. Control of the US Senate will California? During the Trump be determined in January. We can administration, we counted only hope that when the dust seton our state to be a leader in tles, America will begin to heal. resisting policies that harmed The COVID-19 pandemic has communities and undermined claimed the lives of more than A Los Angeles resident after voting on November 3. public health. Under the Biden 238,000 Americans — including Photo: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images administration, California will almost 18,000 Californians. have the opportunity to work alongside the federal government They were beloved family members, dear friends, neighbors, to achieve common goals. So many health care issues deserve coworkers, and community members. We owe it to those who our leaders’ time and attention, including universal coverage, died to put the country’s health above partisan politics. That health equity, the modernization of Medi-Cal, and how best to starts with crafting a dramatically different federal pandemic meet the health and social service needs of growing numbers response that relies on science and recognizes our collective of people experiencing homelessness. CHCF will double down responsibility to protect community and public health. on its efforts to reshape the health care system so that it works The pandemic makes clear just how interconnected our for all Californians. health is in America. Our federal lawmakers must return to the Regardless of how the rest of the election process plays out, essential work of making health coverage universally available major challenges will remain. The winter months, when temwhile assuring its affordability. They must build on, rather than tear down, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by making practical peratures drop and Californians are likely to spend more time and meaningful improvements that are widely supported and indoors, will heighten the risks of COVID-19 transmission. The sustainable both fiscally and politically. state is in an economic downturn that dwarfs the Great Reces Much of the work that lies ahead is about making our health sion. The Supreme Court today will hear arguments in a case care system more equitable for those who have endured sysdesigned to overturn the ACA and wreak havoc on a health care system that every one of us depends on. temic racism and blatant discrimination. The Biden administra Just as we have done in every other challenge that has come tion will need to regain the trust of our immigrant families by our way, this state will find ways to move forward, protect reversing the many policies that create obstacles for their full people, and make progress. That is the California way. participation in society, including the Trump administration’s public charge rule. We hope the new administration will take active steps to ensure that our health care system delivers the Sandra R. Hernández, MD, is president and respect, dignity, compassion, and quality that have long been CEO of the California Health Care Foundation. denied to far too many Americans — especially Black people. Prior to joining CHCF, Sandra was CEO of The We know that there is no health without a healthy democSan Francisco Foundation, which she led for racy. Think of an engaged and informed citizenry as America’s 16 years. She previously served as director of immune system. The more that people participate in civic life, public health for the City and County of San the healthier they are, according to research on civic participaFrancisco. tion conducted in the US and 43 other countries. There may be no more potent public health policy than robust voting rights and easy access to the ballot. Yet those rights are under continuous and direct attack from people who appear not to respect 18
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