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Health & Safety Net

Every person needs quality health care, affordable food, safe housing — and a safety net to turn to when the unexpected hits. But instead of help being readily available in times of need, Californians are blocked from support or face barriers to getting assistance, pushing people of all ages deeper into poverty.

A smiling child having a meal together with her family.

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Related Resources

The Budget Center looks at the human and economic costs of exclusionary health and safety net policies, and how California can achieve health equity and economic security for all its people.

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Get the Facts

Having access to health care services helps to prevent or manage chronic health conditions and promotes overall physical and mental health.
SSI/SSP is a critical source of income for well over 1 million low-income older adults (age 65 or older) and people with disabilities in California.
Over 40% of women in California with low and moderate incomes were not able to afford enough food before the pandemic.

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