Current Advocacy Issues

Protect the PRIME Program for the Underserved

April 2019

The Program in Medical Education (PRIME) is a UC program that educates diverse medical students to care for underserved communities and reduce health disparities.

Ask your state representative to support the UC budget ask to maintain PRIME to provide high-quality, culturally accountable health care in underserved communities, promote health equity, and increase workforce diversity.

UCSF offers two PRIME program options tailored to meeting the needs of the urban underserved in San Francisco and the rural underserved in the San Joaquin Valley in California. Students participate in the regular medical school curriculum, pursue a master’s degree or research program, and participate in weekly activities and seminars focused on community engagement, leadership, and advocacy. California's bold ambitions to expand access to care not only require more doctors but ones with PRIME's specialized training.

On May 1, the UC Budget will be presented to the State Assembly Budget Subcommittee. Please ask your legislator to support the UC budget request of $8.8 million for PRIME across all five UC medical school campuses, which would support 250 students across California who are currently unfunded.

The initial PRIME funding from the California State Legislature helped launch the program but investments have been inconsistent, resulting in rising costs being absorbed by the schools of medicine and limiting enrollment. This annual $8.8 million investment will sustain PRIME programs and create an ongoing source of diverse new graduates who will care for underserved populations and lead clinical, research, and policy programs to promote health equity. 

Fill out the form below to email your legislator now: