January 17, 2024
On January 16, 2024, Anna Yap, M.D., a Sacramento emergency medicine physician, represented CMA’s nearly 50,000 members at a press conference in support of Proposition 1, which will appear on the March 2024 ballot and aims to expand mental health and addiction services for Californians.
"As an emergency room physician, my foremost concern is the health and well-being of Californians, particularly my patients. Unfortunately, in recent years, the emergency room has become a backstop for one-off treatment of patients who need ongoing mental health care by professionals trained in those specialties," Dr. Yap said.
"Prop 1 will change that. It will create thousands of inpatient and outpatient resources for those suffering from the most serious mental health challenges. That’s why the California Medical Association — representing nearly 50,000 physicians across California — is proud to support Proposition 1."
Dr. Yap, a former CMA Trustee who currently serves on numerous CMA councils and committees, was joined at the press conference by legislative and community leaders, including Senator Susan Eggman, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, Assembly Majority Leader and Vice Chair of Legislative Women’s Caucus Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, and other health care organization representatives in support of Proposition 1.