Real Health Care Reform Appears Headed to Governor—Plans Already Started on How to Get His Signature on Bill

Nunez reminded all that we are spending $186 billion dollars on health care in California, bigger than just about any other nation. He pointed to the waste of money in insurer’s administrative costs. He hailed SB 840 as the solution and emphasized that under this universal health care system detailed in the bill, it would allow patients to chose and retain their treating physician.

Wilma Chan, the Chair of the Assembly Helath Committee noted that there were over 300 health care proposals this year in the legislature, which indicates the fractured approach we are taking. She said “We cannot go on another year with people losing their health care coverage.” After reviewing all the proposed legislation, this is the comprehensive solution that is needed, she said.

Assemblymember Cindy Montanez spoke of what it was like for her growing up without health insurance in her family. “This is the most fundamental right that a person has,” she said. She spoke of human dignity and what can be accomplished in the last four days of the session.

Assemblymember Mark Leno described thinking of Sheila Kuehl’s bill as “the tortoise in the race.” He pointed out how California spends more than twice what many nations do—most notably in Europe—and has many gaps in treatment not needed. He even referenced the International Declaration of Human Rights that is the hallmark for a civilized society and denotes medical treatment as one of those universal rights. He said the measure is needed not only for employees and other Californian residents, but it is needed by businesses in the state who are struggling with paying increasing health premiums for their employees.

Assemblymember Jackie Goldberg spoke of the health problems that worsen because of the lack of prompt treatment. Later, these conditions not only cost more to treat, but are more debilitating for those who are sick. She cited real stories of her constituents who have faced bankruptcy, foreclosure, and other financial ruin to get treatment needed by their children.

“I find it an embarassement to be a Democrat, a progressive Democrat to live in a state without health care coverage for all of us” was how Assemblymember Patty Berg from Eureka started out her remarks. She spoke of her district, which is a poor, rural area and how SB 840 would help those she represents. She reminded all that with SB 840, California can be a leader in the nation.

Sid Cohn, an insurance agent for over 50 years was rather blunt and revealing. He said “Today I find myself in the position of selling a product that I do not completely believe in, but I have to provide what is available. I do not make these sales with the kind of pride and satisfaction that I would like.”

Late to the press conference, Sheila Kuehl arrived to applause, saying that she was sorry to be late to her own press conference. “Sometimes you can leave the Senate floor and sometimes you cannot.” She was apparently locked in the Senate chambers at the time of the start of the press event. Speaking of what she is expecting to occur, she said that this will be historic because it will be the first time that both houses of the state legislature have passed such a plan.

Well honed from four years of working tirelessly on the 90 plus page bill, she was nimble in her dissection of arguments against the bill and how it would be funded. She said “It creates access for all Californians by steeply reducing administrative overhead and emphasizing preventive and primary care instead of endlessly cutting coverage and access to care or increasing consumer spending.” She said this is “not ‘government run health care.’ It is an insurance plan. All providers remain as they are, private or public, but they would actually get to treat patients as they think best.”

Kuehl is clearly proud of the measure as drafted. It has been amended a number of times. She said she wanted a carefully drafted measure which could be turned into an initiative.

On everyone’s minds is how to obtain the Governor’s signature. Kuehl said :Interstingly enough, SB 840 is, basically, the plan that everyone, including the Governor, keeps talking about, a plan where business, individuals and government all pay premiums and everyone gets covered.” She said the Governor’s decision on whether to sign or veto the bill should be based on what is in the bill itself rather than press accounts and summaries.

Of the Governor, she said “If it is vetoed, I hope the voters of California will hang the albatross of bad health care around his neck.” She said she will be back with another bill next year. She also mentioned the possibility of an initiative.

A crescendo of rallies and media events is planned statewide to demonstrate popular support for the approach of the bill.