Protecting Californians with Disabilities

People with disabilities represent more than 20 percent of the California population, but for too long, our state has neglected to prioritize their needs. Californians with disabilities deserve an advocate in the governor’s office. While serving in Congress, I closed a loophole that allowed insurers to deny mental health services to public school teachers, firefighters, and police. I also proposed legislation to prohibit discrimination against jurors with disabilities and hold schools accountable for failing to support students facing mental health challenges or disabilities. 

As Governor, I am committed to holding public officials and private companies accountable to their responsibility to defend Californians with disabilities. Donald Trump’s attacks on the disability community must end. H.R. 1, or what I like to call Trump’s Big Bullsh*t Bill, cuts $30 billion a year from Medi-Cal and disproportionately affects disabled Californians. His attacks on IDEA and education funding, targeting of immigrants, and reckless economic policies that drive up costs are hurting people across the state. Here’s what I’ll do to stand up to Trump and fight for Californians with disabilities as governor: 

• Implement a single payer health care system, which I have supported since I first ran for Congress. 
• Improve mental health care for Californians by investing in the services and facilities Californians need. 
• Fight to reduce incarceration and violence against people with disabilities, like I did in Congress by introducing the Mental Health Justice Act to connect people in crisis  with trained care professionals instead of law enforcement.
• Build more accessible housing and transit options at a cost that Californians can afford.
• Make sure people with disabilities have a seat at the policymaking table, so their voices are heard and uplifted in future policy decisions.