Capitol Corner | November 2024

Tuesday, November 5th is Election Day, and that means one thing – You need to VOTE!!!
Every Election Day leads pundits to posit that “...this is the most consequential Election
Day...” and they are always correct. EVERY election day is important, and we all know that
voting is an essential responsibility of citizenship.

In addition to electing a President and Vice-President, Californians will elect a new United
States Senator, 52 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, and in the latter case
may determine which party will have majority control of the House. Californians will also
elect 80 State Assembly members of which 24 are expected to be new to that house, and
20 State Senators, with 12 of those Senators new to the Legislature’s upper chamber.

In addition to those races, there will be 10 statewide ballot initiatives, scores of local ballot
measures, and innumerable other local races where Californians will elect county and city
officials, including county supervisors, mayors and city council members, and school
board members, all of whom arguably have more impact on our day-to-day lives than any
other elected officials at any level of government.

It’s also important to keep in mind that elected officials at all levels of government have a
tremendous impact on our industry. Whether its city officials addressing zoning, business
licensure, or minimum wage issues, county officials dealing with county health
departments, or the myriad of issues addressed by state and federal elected
representatives that impact everything from how much we are reimbursed for providing
care through government health care programs (Medicare, Medi-Cal, etc.), how much
leave time our employees are entitled to, or what the scope of practice should be for our
nurses and other caregivers. The decisions these officials make are just too important to
not have a say in who they will be in the months and years ahead.

Honestly, there is simply no valid excuse for not voting – whether it's in person on Election
Day, or via a mailed in ballot. We owe it to ourselves, our families, and yes, our
businesses, caregivers, and the patients and families we serve to vote. So enjoy the
process, cast your vote as you see fit, and be sure to hold your elected officials
accountable!