SACRAMENTO, CA — The Governor has signed into law a bill expanding mobile telehealthcare access for farmworkers in rural California. The bill was inspired by Aisha Baro, Executive Director of Life Science Cares Bay Area, whose winning idea in this year’s Senate District 13 “There Ought to be a Law” (OBAL) competition became the foundation of SB 338.
SB 338 establishes the Virtual Health Hub for Rural Communities Pilot Program within the Department of Health Care Services. The pilot will award grants to partnerships of two separate community-based organizations to establish and deploy virtual health hubs in two rural communities—selected based on farmworker population and unmet healthcare needs—and will deliver medical and preventive telehealth care. The program builds on the success of the Ayudando Latinos A Soñar (ALAS) Farmworker Equity Express, a mobile clinic that rotates among farms during afternoons and evenings when workers are available. The pilot will use advanced telehealth technology and trained medical staff to provide accessible care directly in the fields. Outcomes will be reported to the Legislature two years after the official implementation of the pilot, to inform future statewide expansion.
“Farmworkers are the backbone of California’s agricultural economy, but too many struggle to access even the most basic healthcare,” said Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park), who authored the legislation. “This bill brings services directly to the people who need them most and eliminates long travel times and ensures they can receive medical attention without sacrificing work.”
"Life Science Cares is proud to have been part of this initiative from the beginning and to have been in a position to amplify ALAS vision,” said Aisha Baro, Executive Director of Life Science Cares Bay Area “I am proud of the Life Science Cares team and board for their willingness to take a chance on an unproven initiative. ALAS delivered on its promise and executed flawlessly and with care. This initiative has proven to have a major positive impact on the unseen farmworker population on the Coastside, largely because the services were delivered by ALAS, an organization they trust and that was able to bring both Care and Cultural Competency along with Effectiveness. It's been great to see the legislative success of this bill, now signed by the governor: I am grateful to Senator Josh Becker for his vision and championship and look forward to all we can do together with Government to expand the impact and learnings from the Equity Express"
"CLS and our member companies are committed to improving access to healthcare for all communities," said Mike Guerra, President and CEO of California Life Sciences. "We sponsored SB 338 so life sciences innovators and patient organizations can advance its mission by partnering with the state of California to bring healthcare directly to our farmworker communities where they live and work. We are incredibly grateful to Senator Becker for his leadership in getting this important health equity legislation signed into law."
Dr. Belinda Hernandez Arriaga, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ALAS, emphasized the transformative impact of mobile care: “The Equity Express is packed with love, care, dignity, community, culture, and joy—ready to lead the vision for farmworker health and wellness in 2025.”
Nearly half of all U.S. farmworkers live in California. Many work in isolated areas with long hours and limited transportation options—factors that lead to delayed or foregone care and high rates of preventable conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.
With SB 338 now signed into law, these integral workers will have better access to much needed medical care than they have ever had before.
The OBAL competition was launched by former Senator Joe Simitian to elevate ideas from everyday Californians into law. Hundreds of constituents have participated, directly shaping the policies that impact their communities.
SB 338 was co-sponsored by California Life Sciences, Ayudando Latinos A Soñar (ALAS), and Life Science Cares Bay Area.