Community Health Leaders Express Deep Disappointment After SB 1179 Held in Senate Appropriations Committee
Bill Would Have Expanded Access to Doctors in Underserved Communities
Contact: Veronica Alvarado
valvarado@clinicaromero.com, 626.467.6181
LOS ANGELES, CA — Clínica Romero and healthcare advocates expressed deep disappointment today after SB 1179, authored by State Senator Caroline Menjivar, was held in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
SB 1179 would have created a pathway for licensed physicians from El Salvador to serve in California community clinics, helping address the state’s growing doctor shortage and expand culturally competent care in underserved communities.
“At Clínica Romero, we are deeply disappointed that SB 1179 was held in the Senate Appropriations Committee,” said Carlos Vaquerano, President and CEO of Clínica Romero. “California is already facing a growing doctor shortage, and our patients are paying the price with longer wait times and delayed care.
“Amid federal cuts to healthcare, SB 1179 was a practical solution to help ensure vulnerable and underserved communities could still access care by allowing licensed physicians from El Salvador to serve in clinics like ours. The need remains urgent, and we will continue fighting to ensure our communities can receive the healthcare they deserve.”
Sponsored by Clínica Romero and co-sponsored by California Primary Care Association Advocates (CPCA) with several health organizations in support, the bill came at a critical moment for California’s healthcare system as community clinics face increasing demand, workforce shortages, and uncertainty around federal healthcare funding.
Dennis Cuevas-Romero, Vice President of Government Affairs of CPCA Advocates, released the following statement, “California’s healthcare workforce shortage continues to strain community health centers and clinics across the state, especially in medically underserved areas. SB 1179 represented a thoughtful and proven approach to expanding access to care by building on an existing California program that allows licensed physicians from Mexico to serve in community health centers and clinics. While we are disappointed the bill was held this year, the need for healthcare workforce solutions remains urgent, and we look forward to continuing this conversation to help meet the growing healthcare needs of Californians.”
SB 1179 was modeled after an existing California program that already allows licensed physicians from Mexico to practice in community clinics under a limited and highly structured scope focused on culturally and language-specific care for underserved communities.
Supporters of the bill said the program represented an equitable healthcare exchange—allowing physicians to serve patients in California community clinics while gaining experience and sharing healthcare practices that could also benefit communities in El Salvador upon their return.
Community clinics serve more than 7 million patients across California and are often the primary source of healthcare for low-income families, immigrants, seniors, and working communities. Supporters of SB 1179 argued the bill would have helped expand the healthcare workforce at a time when many Californians struggle to access timely care.
Healthcare advocates say the need for healthcare workforce solutions remains urgent as vulnerable communities continue facing barriers to care, long wait times, and a shortage of healthcare providers statewide.