SACRAMENTO – Following Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra’s recent comments in support of California’s Fair Share proposal and New Jersey’s approval of a similar employer assessment to help fund Medicaid, Senator John Laird, chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, issued the following statement:

“I’m encouraged to see growing support for the Fair Share proposal. Taxpayers should not be subsidizing healthcare costs that large employers can afford to shoulder themselves. We laid the groundwork in this year’s budget, and I look forward to advancing a thoughtful policy that strengthens Medi-Cal and asks everyone to do their part.”

As part of this year’s budget agreement, the Legislature directed the administration to develop options for a Fair Share from Big Corporations Act for consideration during next year’s budget process. The proposal is intended to examine ways large employers could help offset Medi-Cal costs when their workers rely on taxpayer-funded health coverage. Similar approaches are gaining traction nationally, including in New Jersey, where lawmakers this week approved an employer assessment to help support the state’s Medicaid program.