Today, voters chose Gavin Newsom and Eleni Kounalakis to serve as California’s next Governor and Lieutenant Governor. In response, California Medical Association (CMA) President David H. Aizuss, M.D. issued the following statement:

“The voters have decided, and CMA is proud to congratulate Governor-elect Newsom and Lt. Governor-elect Kounalakis for their respective wins tonight.

“Governor-elect Newsom has a distinguished track record in championing health care for all, and Lieutenant Governor-elect Kounalakis showed voters that she has the passion and experience to help push California forward. We look forward to their continued leadership on California’s most crucial health care challenges, including achieving universal access.

“Californians continue to face barriers in accessing timely, affordable and quality health care. Both have demonstrated their commitment to addressing these challenges, and California physicians are ready to work with them on targeted and pragmatic solutions to keep California healthy and thriving.”

CMA also congratulated their endorsed ballot proposition campaigns, including Yes on Proposition 4 (Children’s Hospital Bonds) and No on Proposition 8 (Dialysis).

“Tonight was a great night for California patients,” said Dr. Aizuss. “Voters rightly rejected Proposition 8, which would have needlessly put dialysis patients lives at risk, and funds generated from Proposition 4 will greatly support the expansion and renovation of 13 children’s hospitals across California. Congratulations to both hard-fought campaigns.”