Advocates urge rejection of $15.8M cuts to California Reducing Disparities Project

The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health convened on May 20, 2025, to discuss critical funding issues affecting various health initiatives in California. The primary focus of the meeting was the proposed cuts to the California Reducing Disparities Project (CRDP) and other related programs, which have garnered significant opposition from community members and organizations.

The session began with public comments from various stakeholders, including representatives from health services and individuals directly impacted by the programs. JJ Nono from Asian American Recovery Services opened the discussion, expressing strong opposition to any cuts to the CRDP, emphasizing its role in helping families break generational cycles of hardship. This sentiment was echoed by multiple speakers, including Elchan from the Drug Policy Alliance, who highlighted the importance of the California overdose prevention and harm reduction initiative, which has been instrumental in overdose reversals.

Wesley Sabre from HealthRight 360 and Laura Thomas from the San Francisco AIDS Foundation also voiced their concerns, urging the committee to reject cuts to vital programs that support marginalized communities. Thomas specifically called for expedited repayment of the AIDS Drug Assistance Program rebate fund to counteract impending federal cuts in HIV prevention.

Several individuals shared personal stories illustrating the impact of these programs. Leah, a young woman from Tongan heritage, and Eppie Leonel Mawai, a community partner of the Essence of Mana program, both stressed the importance of the CRDP in addressing disparities within the Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Asian communities.

The meeting continued with additional testimonies from representatives of various organizations, including 2 Feathers Native American Family Services, which serves youth in Humboldt County. Keisha Ann Daniels emphasized that the loss of funding would be devastating, describing the programs as lifelines for many young people. Other speakers, such as Craig Pulsar from Equality California and Ari Lozano from the Gender Health Center, urged the committee to maintain funding for the Office of Health Equity and the CRDP, highlighting the potential negative consequences of budget cuts on vulnerable populations.

The overwhelming consensus among public commenters was a call to protect and restore funding for the CRDP and related initiatives. Many emphasized that these programs are not merely expenses but essential investments in the health and well-being of California's diverse communities.

As the meeting concluded, the subcommittee members were urged to consider the testimonies and the significant community support for maintaining funding. The discussions underscored the critical need for continued investment in health equity initiatives to ensure that all Californians have access to necessary health services. The subcommittee's decisions in the coming weeks will be pivotal in shaping the future of these essential programs.