A black and white mid-rise apartment building is pictured at three-quarters view, revealing a pink side wall with a medical cross symbol on it. A small blue shape and a field of red dollar symbols are collaged to the left of the building.

Proposition 34

Should California restrict how certain health care providers can spend revenue from prescription drug sales?

Federal law allows health providers that serve lower-income patients to buy prescription drugs at a discount, sell them at retail rates and use the profits to expand services. Proposition 34 would require some providers to spend 98% of that net revenue on direct patient care or risk losing their licenses or tax-exempt status. But the measure’s stipulations mean it would likely only apply to a single organization: the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a major force in state and local housing policies. It will also permanently allow the state to negotiate Medi-Cal drug prices.

Yes Argument

This will stop health care providers from spending revenue from the drug discount program on efforts that don’t directly benefit patients. It would keep AIDS Healthcare Foundation President Michael Weinstein from funneling money away from patients toward his political pursuits.

No Argument

The initiative is sponsored by landlords to keep the AIDS Healthcare Foundation — the main funder of Proposition 33, the rent control initiative on this ballot — from championing tenant protections. Powerful interest groups shouldn’t be able to use the initiative process to stop organizations from engaging in advocacy work. If passed, it would set a dangerous precedent.

Fundraising
Campaign finance data comes from the California Secretary of State’s office or the Federal Election Commission.

Updated at 6:00 PM PT on Sep 30, 2024
Source: California Secretary of State
In Support
$29.8mTotal
California Apartment Association
$29.5m
California Association of Realtors
$250.0k
St. Anton Communities, LLC
$20.0k
Glen Raft
$2.5k
Smith-Brennan Properties, LLC
$2.0k
In Opposition
$1.1mTotal
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
$1.1m
PowerCA Action
$4.4k
PICO California
$294

Key Supporters

This list represents notable organizations and individuals who have taken a position on the ballot measure or candidate, or who are funding campaigns in support or opposition. This list is not exhaustive, and may be updated.

In Support

  • ALS Association
  • California Apartment Association 
  • California Chronic Care Coalition
  • California Senior Alliance

In Opposition

  • AIDS Healthcare Foundation
  • Consumer Watchdog
  • National Organization for Women
  • The Coalition for Economic Survival

Related Coverage

More Statewide Propositions

A black and white mid-rise apartment building is pictured at three-quarters view, revealing a pink side wall with a medical cross symbol on it. A small blue shape is collaged to the left of the building.

Prop 2: School Bond

Should California issue $10 billion in bonds to help build or upgrade educational facilities?

A black and white mid-rise apartment building is pictured at three-quarters view, revealing a pink side wall with a medical cross symbol on it. A small blue shape is collaged to the left of the building.

Prop 3: Same-Sex Marriage

Should marriage rights for same-sex couples be enshrined in the state constitution?

A black and white mid-rise apartment building is pictured at three-quarters view, revealing a pink side wall with a medical cross symbol on it. A small blue shape is collaged to the left of the building.

Prop 4: Climate Bond

Should California issue $10 billion in bonds to fund various climate- and environment-related projects?

A black and white mid-rise apartment building is pictured at three-quarters view, revealing a pink side wall with a medical cross symbol on it. A small blue shape is collaged to the left of the building.

Prop 5: Housing Votes

Should California reduce the vote threshold needed to pass certain local bonds for affordable housing and public infrastructure projects?

A black and white mid-rise apartment building is pictured at three-quarters view, revealing a pink side wall with a medical cross symbol on it. A small blue shape is collaged to the left of the building.

Prop 6: Prison Labor

Should California ban involuntary servitude in prisons and jails? 

A black and white mid-rise apartment building is pictured at three-quarters view, revealing a pink side wall with a medical cross symbol on it. A small blue shape is collaged to the left of the building.

Prop 32: Minimum Wage

Should all California employees earn at least $18 per hour by Jan. 1, 2026?

A black and white mid-rise apartment building is pictured at three-quarters view, revealing a pink side wall with a medical cross symbol on it. A small blue shape is collaged to the left of the building.

Prop 33: Rent Control

Should California remove limits on the ability of cities to impose rent control policies capping annual rent increases?

A black and white mid-rise apartment building is pictured at three-quarters view, revealing a pink side wall with a medical cross symbol on it. A small blue shape is collaged to the left of the building.

Prop 35: Medi-Cal Funding

Should California make permanent an existing tax on health insurance companies and restrict how those funds can be used?

A black and white mid-rise apartment building is pictured at three-quarters view, revealing a pink side wall with a medical cross symbol on it. A small blue shape is collaged to the left of the building.

Prop 36: Criminal Penalties

Should California roll back past reforms and make it easier to charge people with felony crimes and send them to jail or prison if they repeatedly shoplift, or possess some drugs, including fentanyl and methamphetamine?