Our Mission
The California Health Professional Student Alliance is the undergraduate and graduate branch of the California Physicians Alliance. We seek to build leadership and advocacy skills among students interested in health policy and activism. We are deeply committed to health care justice in our communities and beyond. We utilize grassroots organizing, education, and services to help create health policy advocates that will revolutionize health care.
OUR history
In 1987, the California Physicians Alliance (CaPA) was founded in the San Francisco East Bay Area by a group of doctors that strongly believed that the way to improve healthcare for patients is to improve our health care financing and delivery system. We are now a group of 7,000 physicians, medical providers, health professional students, and advocates throughout California.
In 2010, CaHPSA became the official independent student section of the California Physicians Alliance (CaPA). CaHPSA members from all over the state are now building their leadership and advocacy skills to create a better health system for all. CaHPSA's Project White Coat seeks to train its members to enroll in Medi-Cal or Covered California. We have also organized and executed annual Lobby Days and Leadership Training Conferences in Sacramento.
what we do
Legislative Advocacy
We participate in political activism, through an array of tools such as organizing congressional meetings, cold-calling, letters to senators, creating petitions, and more!
volunteering
We go beyond electoral politics and legislation by serving our communities. We organize food drives, hygiene kit events, and more.
health literacy
We work to increase education of healthcare topics and healthcare policy issues by outreaching to our community.
Enrollment
Services
We work with Covered California as Certified Enrollment Counselors to help low-income families apply for Covered California Health Plans Entities.
Research
We are continuously educating ourselves on policies that impact equitable and quality healthcare for all. We also conduct student-led research projects surrounding this issue to inform our advocacy.
professional development
We are committed to providing members opportunities to improve and develop leadership and advocacy skills to excel in future ambitions and goals through hands-on experiences and mentorship.