Prop 38 Ad Spotlights California Caregiver's Alzheimer’s Story

The YES on Proposition 38 campaign has released a new ad featuring Los Angeles caregiver Viva Mogi as it argues California needs faster progress on Alzheimer’s and other serious diseases. The measure would direct $8.4 billion to immunology research and includes repayment, discount and oversight provisions aimed at making the program self-funding and accountable.

Why it matters: - California caregivers are asking for faster progress on treatments and cures for Alzheimer’s and other serious diseases. - Prop 38 is being pitched as a way to speed immunology research while giving California patients access to future therapies at lower cost. - The measure also arrives as federal research uncertainty has slowed clinical trials and other discoveries.

What happened: - The YES on Proposition 38 campaign released a new ad featuring Viva Mogi, a Los Angeles resident caring for her mother with Alzheimer’s disease. - The ad urges voters to support Prop 38, the Immunology Medical Research & Cures Initiative. - The campaign says Prop 38 would accelerate research to prevent and cure cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and other serious diseases.

The details: - Mogi is one of nearly 7 million Californians caring for a loved one. - Roughly 23% of California adults are caregivers. - Nearly three-quarters of California caregivers receive no pay. - 48% of California family caregivers report at least one negative financial impact, including depleted savings or increased debt. - 59% of caregivers balance care with work, often at the cost of income and long-term security. - Mogi said her hope is that new treatments will come soon enough to help families affected by Alzheimer’s. - Prop 38 would provide $8.4 billion to advance immunology research for cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and other persistent diseases. - Immunotherapies use the body’s immune system to prevent and treat disease. - Immunotherapies are already treating patients with melanoma, lung cancer, leukemia and lymphoma. - The measure would also fund research into Parkinson’s, diabetes, ALS, muscular dystrophy, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and multiple sclerosis. - Federal research funding uncertainty halted at least 160 active clinical trials nationwide in 2025. - Prop 38 is designed to pay for itself. - Ten percent of proceeds from licensing immunotherapies would be returned to California to offset the measure’s total costs, including interest. - Any cure or immunotherapy developed would be provided to California patients at a 20% discount below the national average. - The measure includes a 2% cap on state administrative expenses. - Prop 38 requires public disclosure of spending. - Prop 38 calls for independent financial audits. - For-profit corporations are not eligible for grant funding. - More information is available at YESon38.com, including a coalition list and supporter statements.

Between the lines: - The campaign is framing Prop 38 as both a health policy and caregiver relief issue. - The ad’s focus on Mogi’s family story is meant to connect abstract research funding to the daily strain on California households. - The self-funding and discount provisions are designed to answer concerns about cost and accountability.

What's next: - The YES on Prop 38 campaign will continue to make its case to voters ahead of the election. - Supporters are expected to point to caregiver strain, clinical trial delays and existing immunotherapy breakthroughs as evidence for passage.

The bottom line: - Prop 38 is being sold as a way to speed research, support California caregivers and lower the cost of future cures for patients in the state.