April 6, 2017 The Honorable Ed Hernandez, O.D. Chair, Senate Health Committee State Capitol, Room 2191 Sacramento, CA 95814 RE: SCA 7 (Moorlach) – STRONG OPPOSE Dear Senator Hernandez, On behalf of Planned Parenthood Northern California Action Fund, we must oppose SCA 7 (Moorlach). This constitutional amendment would repeal the constitutional provisions of the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Act, a measure passed in 2004 as Prop 71. Proposition 71 passed in 2004 and amended both the California Constitution and the Health and Safety Code. The constitutional provisions of the act establish the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) in state government and authorizes it to utilize state-issued tax-exempt and taxable bonds to fund its operations, medical and scientific research, and facilities. The constitutional provisions also establish a right to conduct stem cell research. SCA 7 (Moorlach) would repeal the sections that amended the Constitution. Planned Parenthood Northern California Action Fund believes that medical research has an overall value to society and the wellbeing of individuals. Research can provide important information about disease trends and risk factors, outcomes of treatment or public health interventions, patterns of care, and health care costs. Medical research has led to significant discoveries, the development of new therapies and the improvement in health care and public health. Two main human cell strains have been used to develop several currently available vaccines, including those for hepatitis, rubella, chickenpox, shingles, adenovirus, and rabies. Today stem cells are used to develop treatment for a range of diseases and conditions affecting millions of people including diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, Huntington’s chorea, strokes, organ failure, spinal cord injuries, hemophilia, leukemia, sickle cell anemia, and muscular dystrophy. Planned Parenthood Northern California Action Fund supports stem cell research and recognizes the medical advancement it provides for Planned Parenthood patients. For these reasons, we strongly oppose SCA 7 (Moorlach). Sincerely,

Gilda Gonzales Interim CEO Planned Parenthood Northern California Action Fund

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The Honorable John Moorlach The Honorable Jim Nielsen