Clínica Romero, Sen. Menjivar Advance SB 1179 to Expand Care Access in Underserved Communities

California bilingual healthcare shortage is limiting access to care for millions. SB 1179 proposes a pathway for Salvadoran physicians to help fill critical gaps.

For this reason, the efforts led by Clínica Romero and State Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-20) are especially important. Through Senate Bill 1179 (SB 1179), they aim to address this issue directly.

The legislation would establish a structured pathway for licensed physicians from El Salvador to serve in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), expanding access to care in medically underserved communities across California.

Clínica Romero is sponsoring this legislation to help reduce the physician shortage in California. SB 1179 recently passed its first Senate committee with a unanimous 10–0 vote. The bill creates a pathway for Salvadoran physicians to help meet the state’s need for bilingual and culturally competent providers.

Clínica Monseñor Óscar A. Romero is leading the advancement of SB 1179, authored and championed by Senator Caroline Menjivar. The proposal was heard in the Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee, chaired by Senator Wahab (D-10), on Monday, April 13, 2026, where it passed unanimously with bipartisan support.

“For two years, I have been working on closing the gap in the shortage of bilingual physicians in California,” said Senator Menjivar. “Currently, approximately 29% of Californians primarily speak Spanish and face barriers in accessing necessary healthcare. By building on the existing Mexico Physicians Program and expanding it to include physicians from El Salvador, we can strengthen our workforce capacity and increase access for patients.”

During the hearing, witnesses emphasized both the scale of California’s physician shortage and the need for practical, near-term solutions that can be implemented within existing healthcare systems. Data consistently shows a growing shortage of healthcare professionals serving California’s 40 million residents.

“SB 1179 ensures our communities have access to culturally and linguistically competent Spanish-speaking physicians—a gap that has gone unaddressed for too long,” said Carlos Vaquerano, President and CEO of Clínica Romero. “For years, Clínica Romero has cultivated relationships with El Salvador, working with medical schools and institutions to lay the foundation for this effort. These physicians will serve a broad and diverse population, expanding access to care for anyone who needs culturally responsive services. Senator Menjivar’s leadership reflects the urgency of this moment and supports a concrete solution we are proud to advance.”

Additionally, more than 7 million Californians live in federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas, where community health centers serve as a primary source of care for millions of patients. Although Latinos make up nearly 40% of the population, they account for only 6–7% of practicing physicians. Language barriers and lack of culturally competent care continue to limit healthcare access and contribute to overuse of hospital emergency rooms.

Community clinics are a critical lifeline, providing both primary and preventive care. California is home to the largest Salvadoran community outside of El Salvador, creating a strong opportunity for mutually beneficial collaboration. Given the state’s current healthcare challenges, SB 1179 represents an important step toward increasing the physician workforce and improving access to care.

Dr. Julio Meza, a physician at Clínica Romero and UCLA, shared his experience: “I was trained at the Evangelical University of El Salvador and later graduated from UCLA. I came to California ready to serve, but for seven years I was not allowed to practice, while patients in my own community struggled to find care in their language and from someone they trust. During that time, I worked in healthcare, watching patients go without the care they needed. Today, I serve at UCLA and Clínica Romero alongside physicians trained at institutions like Yale and Johns Hopkins. For years, patients went without care even when qualified physicians were ready to serve. SB 1179 would allow physicians like me to help our communities when we are needed—not years later.”

Clínica Romero will continue working with Senator Menjivar, legislative partners, and stakeholders to advance SB 1179 through the legislative process.