Major disease groups back California’s Proposition 38

More than 50 patient advocacy, medical and research organizations are urging Californians to vote yes on Proposition 38, a measure that would direct $8.4 billion to immunology research for Parkinson’s, ALS, Alzheimer’s and frontotemporal degeneration. Supporters say the plan could speed new treatments, strengthen California research collaboration and help offset costs through licensing revenue.

Why it matters: - Proposition 38 would commit $8.4 billion to immunology medical research aimed at preventing and treating Parkinson’s disease, ALS, Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal degeneration, along with other major illnesses. - Supporters say the measure could accelerate development of therapies that use the immune system to target disease mechanisms already tied to cancer and neurodegenerative conditions. - The proposal lands as federal research funding uncertainty is slowing clinical trials and delaying discovery.

What happened: - Leading neurodegenerative disease advocacy groups announced support for YES on Proposition 38 on Sept. 3, 2026, in Sacramento. - The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Parkinson’s Foundation, ALS Association, The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, ALS Network and Parkinson Association of Northern California joined a coalition of more than 50 patient advocacy, medical and research organizations. - The coalition is urging Californians to vote yes on Prop 38 in November.

The details: - Prop 38 would create a collaborative statewide research network built around competitive grants and a nonprofit immunology institute affiliated with the University of California. - Half of the funding would go to competitive grants at California universities and nonprofit research institutions. - The other half would support an immunology institute intended to connect scientists, laboratories, patients, clinical trials and technology. - The California Department of Public Health would select an eligible institute under strict criteria. - The measure requires grantees to collaborate so discoveries and best practices can move across institutions instead of staying siloed. - Supporters say immunotherapies have already helped patients with melanoma, lung cancer, leukemia and lymphoma. - Researchers are also studying how immune-based approaches could help clear abnormal protein buildup linked to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s and slow ALS progression. - The measure includes accountability rules: a 2% cap on state administrative expenses, public disclosure of spending, independent financial audits and a ban on grant funding for for-profit corporations. - Prop 38 also requires 10% of proceeds from licensing immunotherapies to be returned to California to help offset total costs, including interest. - Any cure or immunotherapy developed under the measure would be provided to California patients at a 20% discount. - More information is available at YESon38.com, including the full coalition list and supporter statements. - The campaign’s social media pages include LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube Shorts, X and Substack.

Between the lines: - The backing from major disease groups gives Proposition 38 broader credibility with patients and researchers who are looking for faster paths to therapies. - The measure is framed as a research funding model that tries to reduce fragmentation by forcing collaboration and tying future revenue back to California. - Supporters are positioning immunology as a platform that could affect both neurodegenerative disease and other hard-to-treat conditions.

What's next: - Supporters will keep pushing for a yes vote in November. - If approved, state officials would move to choose the institute and begin distributing grant funding under the measure’s rules. - The campaign is also steering voters to its website and social channels for coalition details and supporter messaging.

The bottom line: - Proposition 38 is being sold as both a research accelerator and a funding safeguard, with major disease organizations betting that California can help speed the next wave of treatments and cures.