The following is a statement from Tom Bannon, chief executive officer for the California Apartment Association:
“In joining the fight to stop the abuse of public health care dollars, CAA was one member of a broad, bipartisan coalition that included patient advocates, nurses, firefighters, seniors, LGBTQ advocates, business leaders across California, and many others. Our shared victory is a signal that Californians are fed up with those who play fast and loose with public dollars and the public trust. For years, healthcare corporations misused billions in taxpayer funds that were supposed to be meant for patients to instead fund their own pet projects – everything from luxury condos to naming rights on sports stadiums to CEO bonuses to political campaigns. That is not what the 340B program was meant to do. With the passage of Prop. 34, we can ensure that those entering into the housing market are held to higher standards, and are truly out to serve patients, not themselves.
While we are celebrating our victory, we know this fight is not over. CAA will continue to support this coalition’s efforts to stand up for patients, even as we anticipate further desperate attacks on Prop 34 in the courts. This coalition remains committed to fighting to ensure these public dollars are used to protect patients and provide care, and cannot be mismanaged and misused ever again.”