Proposition 35, permanent funding for Medi-Cal, projected to pass

California's Proposition 35, which would allow the state to permanently keep a tax on managed health care insurance plans, is projected to pass.

The video above is from an earlier story and will be updated.



With 42% of the ballots tallied, the measure was ahead by a 68-32 margin, according to the California Secretary of State's office.

Prop. 35 would take an existing tax that began in 2009 on health insurance plans and use the money to increase payment to doctors and other providers who see Medi-Cal patients.



Medi-Cal, the subsidized insurance plan serving some 14-million Californians, has ballooned in size over the past decade with increased eligibility and benefits. But those changes haven't come with a commensurate increase in payment to doctors.



The tax has also never been permanent and the state legislature re-approves it every few years.

The proposition's supporters have raised $50 million, drawing from groups representing hospitals, doctors and insurers.

One recent estimate predicts Proposition 35 would bring between $7 billion and $8 billion to the state annually.



However, some citizens have concerns and say that Proposition 35 makes it harder for kids to access care at home.

There is no stated opposition to Prop 35 on the ballot, but citizens worry the proposal focuses too much on hospital care and does not fund parts of home care.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.