In a comprehensive CalMatters interview focused on health care and the 2026 governor’s race, Betty Yee outlined her plan to become an “accountability governor.” Yee stressed that California’s mental health system is failing many families because agencies are not enforcing mental health parity laws requiring equal coverage for physical and mental health conditions. She called for robust oversight to ensure insurers maintain diverse, culturally competent provider networks.
Yee also spoke about expanding what works—such as the earned income tax credit and young child tax credit—to reduce poverty and support caregivers. She emphasized that California cannot rely solely on borrowing to fill federal funding gaps and supports raising taxes on the state’s highest earners to sustain essential safety-net programs. But before doing so, she said California must show real improvements in efficiency, access, and affordability across the health-care system.