State Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares (R-Santa Clarita) hosted a Health Advisory Committee meeting today at St. Mary’s Hospital in San Bernardino County High Desert, bringing together frontline medical professionals, healthcare administrators, and local stakeholders from across Senate District 23 to discuss the healthcare challenges and priorities facing local communities.
As Vice-Chair of the Senate Health Committee, Senator Valladares convened the meeting to hear directly from the healthcare community and ensure that the voices of local providers and patients are represented in Sacramento.
"The best policy starts with listening," said Sen. Valladares. "The doctors, nurses, administrators, and healthcare advocates in this district are on the front lines every single day. They see what is working, what isn't, and where Sacramento can do better. I’m here to make sure their voices are heard and that we are fighting for practical solutions that protect patients and support providers."
The meeting included a roundtable discussion about patient access to care, provider retention, healthcare delivery gaps in rural and regional communities, and the administrative burdens created by current state legislation.
Sen. Valladares also provided an update on her healthcare legislation, including efforts to reduce out-of-pocket medical costs for working families and to strengthen protections for vulnerable residents in skilled nursing facilities. She also discussed her continued commitment to expanding flexible telehealth options for patients across the district who struggle to access specialty care close to home.
The discussion reflected Sen. Valladares' broader healthcare priorities: protecting the doctor-patient relationship, expanding patient choice and addressing the high costs, and infrastructure and provider retention challenges that affect communities throughout the Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope Valley, and Victor Valley.
Senator Valladares expressed gratitude to all who participated and committed to carrying the committee's feedback directly to Sacramento as the Legislature continues its work through the remainder of the 2026 session.