Patients back Prop 38 to boost California medical research

A coalition of patients, families and health advocates is urging California voters to support Proposition 38, a $8.4 billion initiative aimed at expanding immunology research and speeding new treatments for cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and other diseases. Supporters say the measure is needed as federal research funding tightens and patients cannot afford to wait for the next breakthrough.

Why it matters: - Proposition 38 would direct $8.4 billion toward immunology medical research aimed at preventing and treating cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and other serious diseases. - Supporters say the measure could turn lab discoveries into treatments faster for California patients facing life-threatening illnesses. - The campaign frames the measure as a response to retreating federal funding and uncertainty around future medical research dollars.

What happened: - Patients and advocates backing YES on Proposition 38, the Immunology Medical Research & Cures Initiative, highlighted personal stories from immunotherapy recipients to make the case for the measure. - Laurie Adami, a cancer patient advocate, said CAR T immunotherapy cleared her cancer within 30 days and has kept her in complete remission for more than eight years. - Andrew Dale, co-chair of the Board of Trustees for the Greater Los Angeles chapter of Blood Cancer United, said immunotherapy kept him in remission after chemotherapy stopped working. - Ruben Narvaez, a Los Angeles kidney cancer patient, said immunotherapy gave him a second chance at life after a stage IV diagnosis eight years ago.

The details: - Immunotherapies use the body’s immune system to recognize and stop disease. - The treatments are already being used to save or extend lives for patients with melanoma, lung cancer, leukemia and lymphoma. - Scientists are also studying whether immunology could help create new treatments for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS and heart disease. - Prop 38 would create a statewide network that combines competitive research grants with a nonprofit immunology institute affiliated with the University of California. - Half of the funding would support competitive grants at California universities and nonprofit research institutions. - The other half would support the immunology institute. - Ten percent of all proceeds from licensing immunotherapies would be returned to California to help offset the measure’s total costs, including interest. - Any cure or immunotherapy developed would be provided to California patients at a 20 percent discount. - The measure would cap state administrative expenses at 2%. - Prop 38 would require public disclosure of spending and independent financial audits. - For-profit corporations would not be eligible for grant funding. - YES on Prop 38 says the campaign is backed by a broad coalition of patient advocates, doctors, nurses, scientists, researchers and medical organizations. - The coalition includes supporters focused on HIV/AIDS, cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and other diseases. - The source directs readers to more information for a full coalition list and supporter statements.

Between the lines: - The campaign is using patient testimony to argue that research funding is not abstract and can determine whether future patients get a chance at survival. - The funding structure is designed to answer a common criticism of research ballot measures by tying future licensing revenue and price discounts to the public investment. - The emphasis on accountability suggests the campaign wants to position Prop 38 as both ambitious and fiscally controlled.

What's next: - Supporters are building a statewide case for passage by widening the coalition and elevating patient stories. - If approved, Prop 38 would begin channeling money into California research institutions and the UC-affiliated institute to accelerate immunology work. - The campaign says the goal is to help convert more breakthroughs into treatments and cures before the next patient needs them.

The bottom line: - Prop 38 is being pitched as a way to speed life-saving medical research in California now, not after patients and families have already run out of time.