A new poll reveals the urgency with which California residents view health care as an issue for the state’s 2026 election for governor, with almost eight out of 10 likely voters concerned about the affordability of health care.

The poll, commissioned by the California Wellness Foundation and conducted between Aug. 28 and Sept. 16, also revealed that about nine out of 10 voters believe that capping out-of-pocket costs for medical care is either very important or somewhat important for whoever succeeds Gov. Gavin Newsom to deal with after the 2026 election.

“Californians believe in the promise of our state, but far too many are struggling to meet the basic needs of a healthy life,” said California Wellness Foundation President and CEO Richard Tate. “What voters want from the next governor is clear: affordable housing, health care that doesn’t break the bank, mental health support they can count on, and the ability to care for their loved ones with dignity and peace of mind.”

The results of the wide-ranging poll of 2,000 likely voters, including 190 in the San Joaquin Valley, showed that when likely voters were asked about factors they believed would make California a place where they want to live and work, the top three issues were:

  • “Being able to afford a decent home in a safe neighborhood,” 64%.
  • “Having elected leaders you can trust,” 53%.
  • “Having access to quality affordable health care,” 47%.

All three issues “are connected to what we call ‘social determinants of health: housing, a safe neighborhood where they can live and raise their families, and clean air and water, for example,” said Shakari Byerly, managing partner and director of polling of Evitarus, the public opinion research firm that conducted the poll.

The poll serves as a springboard for the California Wellness Foundation and other foundations to develop a program for a Nov. 7 forum among leading candidates for governor at the University of California, Riverside.

“One of the things that stand out in the Central Valley in particular are having elected leaders that they can trust,” Byerly said. “So overall statewide, we have 53% of respondents who indicated that was something that would help them really have confidence that California is a place where they can live, work and contribute. In the Central Valley, it’s a full 13 points higher,” at 66%.

However, almost 60% of the state’s residents, and 70% of those polled in the Central Valley, said they don’t have confidence that state leaders can solve California’s problems.

On issues related specifically to health care, “an overwhelming majority of Californians believe it’s highly important for the next governor to prioritize health care, including capping out-of-pocket health care costs for consumers and expanding access to quality, affordable health and mental health care,” Byerly said.

“Californians don’t see health as a single dimension,” she added. “It really is about an overall quality of life.”

Health care was among the leading concerns, but not the only one noted by Valley voters. “The priority on health policy in particular emerges, and also reducing the cost and complexity of doing business in the state overall,” Byerly said. Statewide, 72% of voters said business costs were a priority, “but 85% in the Central Valley say that’s extremely or very important to them.”

Among eight regions of California, the Central Valley had the lowest percentage of respondents 43%, who felt a sense of inclusion and value in the state. The Valley, often politically overlooked relative to the concentrated population centers of northern and Southern California, was one of only three regions where fewer than half of those surveyed said they felt that sense of inclusion and value.

Tim Sheehan is a senior reporter and Health Reporting Fellow with the nonprofit Central Valley Journalism Collaborative. The CVJC fellowship is supported by a grant from the Fresno State Institute for Media and Public Trust. Contact Sheehan at tim@cvlocaljournalism.org.