Your guide to Proposition 34, which would cut health care providers' spending beyond patient care – San Diego Union-Tribune

Propositions 33 and 34 are rent control ballot measures and more. Here's what you should know about Proposition 34. You can also consult our guide to Proposition 33.

What would it do?

Proposition 34 is a response to his main opponent's Proposition 33 and dates back to the fight over rent control. If passed, Prop. 34 would require certain California health care providers that participate in a federal drug rebate program to spend at least 98 percent of their resulting revenue on direct patient care.

The stated goal is to prevent excessive profit-taking and to prioritize funding for patient care, potentially leading to better care and affordability within Medi-Cal. But the specific criteria for who the measure would apply to seem to be aimed specifically at one person — the architect of Prop. 33.

Why is this on the ballot?

Because the non-profit organization behind Prop. 33 continues to try and fail to push for a repeal of the Costa-Hawkins Act, and because a certain industry group opposes their efforts.

Proposals 33 and 34 are a kind of dueling measure.

The former was put on the ballot by the Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which is behind many such rent control measures.

The latter is on the ballot because of Prop. 33 and because a group of landlords, developers and property management companies lobbied to get it there. Prop. 34 is intended to prevent measures like Prop. 33 from continuing to appear on the ballot.

Who supports it and why?

Prop. 34 is supported by an organization called Protect Patients Now, which is sponsored by the California Apartment Association, an industry group that represents rental housing owners, investors, developers and managers across the state.

This group has been fighting rent control measures similar to Prop. 33 for years and trying to curb the AIDS Healthcare Foundation's political involvement on issues like rent control that are not the focus of patient care.

Who is against it and why?

Just as vehemently as landlords oppose Prop. 33, Prop. 34 is also opposed by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which says it is being unfairly targeted for its support of rent control.

Where can I read more?

Your guide to Proposition 33, which would allow local extensions of rent control