In a region often overlooked in statewide policy issues, the Inland Empire took center stage during a gubernatorial candidate forum held Nov. 7 at UC Riverside.
At the Health Matters Forum — organized by 11 of California’s leading health-focused foundations, including Inland Empire Health Plan Foundation and Inland Empire Community Foundation — four prominent candidates for the state’s highest office gathered to tackle the pressing issue of healthcare, a top concern for many Californians. This marked a pivotal moment in the campaign, as it was the first time candidates publicly outlined their visions for California’s healthcare agenda, with a focus on issues directly impacting the 4.6 million residents of San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
Invitations were extended to several leading candidates based on criteria from host organizations, including polling data and fundraising efforts. Not all invitees attended, but those who did included former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former speaker of the state Assembly Antonio Villaraigosa, and former state Controller Betty Yee. The event was moderated by Colleen Williams of NBC Los Angeles and Dr. Paulette Paul Hinds of Black Voice News and live-streamed on NBC Los Angeles and Telemundo.
Topics critical to offering vibrant health across the Inland Empire and the state were discussed, including healthcare access and workforce development, inflation and affordability, housing, education, good-paying jobs and more.
Candidates consistently underscored the challenges and opportunities facing the Inland Empire, including limited access to healthcare, high rates of chronic illness, a shortage of medical providers and income inequality.
Thurmond, a self-described new resident of the Inland Empire, emphasized the need to diversify economic opportunities and foster high-paying jobs.
“We need fewer warehouses in the Inland Empire. We need more green jobs. We need more jobs that don’t contribute to the pollution that’s hurting our kids and our families. And we need to make sure that the people who live here have a say in what gets built in their communities,” he stated.
Yee echoed this sentiment, asserting that improving health and wellness in the Inland Empire — and throughout the state — requires a government committed to addressing the social drivers that influence health, especially for the most vulnerable populations.
“We are trying to serve people possessing multiple social determinants of health,” she said. “I hope that we can actually have better accountability in terms of what works, how we measure it, and really use our dollars.”
Throughout the forum, the candidates, all Democrats, shared a broad consensus on the region’s key concerns while differing slightly on proposed solutions. In a rapid-fire round of questions, all but Villaraigosa supported exploring a single-payer healthcare system for the state.
However, the rising cost of healthcare, especially for the aging population, was a significant point of agreement, as all candidates noted their personal experience in caring for elderly family members.
Becerra, sharing his experiences as a caregiver, highlighted that it is often more cost-effective for elderly residents to age in place with family support. He vowed to ensure that caregivers are compensated for their work and to expand in-home support services.
“If I’m governor, home care will be compensated. If you are a family member, you should not be discriminated against for giving up the ability to work and earn more money. It would cost more to have your loved one leave your home and go into a facility and get care,” Becerra declared.
Each candidate brought extensive political experience, having served in various public offices throughout their careers. Villaraigosa touted his tenure as mayor of Los Angeles and his role in the California Assembly, asserting that he had been instrumental in creating numerous state-run programs, including In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS).
“In fact, a lot of the things that we’re going to be talking about today, I had a role in making happen,” he noted. “We need a practical leader who’s done it before.”
The event aimed not only to provide insight into how candidates would address the state’s most pressing health issues but also to ensure that the community’s voice remained central throughout the discussions.
In preparation for the forum, the California Wellness Foundation commissioned a poll from EVITARUS that surveyed 2,000 likely voters and oversampled residents in the Inland Empire. The poll found that approximately 80% of respondents are concerned about healthcare costs, and 72% prioritize capping out-of-pocket expenses for the next governor.
The audience was comprised of 300 community, civic and nonprofit leaders who are familiar with these struggles and challenges residents face. Among them were representatives from organizations based in the Inland Empire. One of them is TrueCare, a nonprofit healthcare clinic that provides essential healthcare access to those in need in southwest Riverside County.
“Having the candidates for governor in the Inland Empire and focusing on the disparities in this underserved area is critical to the future health of our region,” said Anthony White, vice president of government and community affairs at TrueCare.
Victoria Stephans, executive director of the Inland Empire Community Health Initiative, emphasized that the forum offered a unique chance for local leaders to engage directly with candidates about their priorities.
“The Health Matter Forum being held in the Inland Empire might have been a first and critical consideration, considering both the size and growth in the region,” said Stephans.
California Wellness Foundation CEO and President Richard Tate explained why the Inland Empire was chosen for his critical conversation with California’s potential next governor.
The region reflects the future of California — diverse, dynamic, and full of promise, Tate said. But it’s also a place where too many people struggle to get the care they need.
“This forum gave the next governor a chance to hear directly from the people of the Inland Empire — to better understand both the opportunities here and the challenges they face,” Tate added.
As California heads into the 2026 gubernatorial race, the Health Matters Forum may prove to be a defining moment — not just for the candidates, but for the communities they hope to serve. For the Inland Empire, it was a powerful opportunity to be heard and seen.