Phil’s Record on Health Care Issues

Supporting Community Clinics

As Chair of the California Health Facilities Financing Authority (CHFFA), Angelides launched innovative new programs to support community health clinics serving families, the disabled and the elderly. CHFFA has provided loans and grants to more than 300 community clinics throughout the state to help expand health care services to California children and families.

Stopping WellPoint-Anthem Merger

To protect millions of Californians from rising health care costs, Angelides fought to stop the merger of WellPoint Health Networks (Blue Cross of California's parent company) and Anthem Incorporated. The excessive and obscene planned payouts of up to $600 million in bonuses and accelerated stock options to WellPoint executives would harm the 7 million Californians covered by Blue Cross. Read more about the Opposition to WellPoint Health Networks and Anthem Merger.

Fighting Republican Attempts to Slash Services

Angelides has repeatedly stood up in opposition to recent Republican efforts that would make a bad system even worse. When Governor Schwarzenegger proposed severe cuts to the In-Home Supportive Services program, Angelides fought to protect home care services for 75,000 seniors and disabled people and save the jobs of caregivers who provide these services. When Governor Schwarzenegger tried to cut health care access for 100,000 kids through the State's Healthy Families program, Angelides fought to protect health care for California children.

"State Treasurer Phil Angelides has not been shy about voicing his opposition to some of new Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s plans… He was a featured speaker as hundreds of developmentally disabled Californians, their loved ones and advocates protested the governor’s plan to cut services for the state’s disabled population. 'We can do better than to cut adrift the neediest among us,' Angelides told the crowd Wednesday."
- The Sacramento Bee, December 14, 2003

Removing Tobacco from State Portfolios

Recognizing the negative fiscal and health impacts of the tobacco industry, Angelides placed a moratorium on tobacco investments by the State. He also successfully urged the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) and the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) to adopt tobacco free investment policies and sell their tobacco holdings totaling more than $800 million.