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January 2007 - Governor Schwarzenneger vetoed SB 840 last year saying it would create a big government bureaucracy. Ha! "His plan" which was unveiled this month does not guarantee it would be affordable and is so complex, everyone hates it! As Paul Krugman of NYTimes.com wrote "the plan requires a much more intrusive government role than a single-payer system. Instead of reducing paperwork, the plan adds three new bureaucracies: one to police individuals to make sure they buy insurance, one to determine if they're poor enough to receive aid, and one to police insurers to make sure they don't discriminate against the unwell."
We don't like it for alot of reasons, not the least of which is that it does nothing to help people get minor or preventive care because his proposed minimum coverage is a $5,000 deductible plan
(at who knows what cost).
We wish to thank the governor (NOT) for ignoring SB 840 and not even once meeting with Senator Kuehl to discuss health insurance
reform in California.
But now that everyone is angry with him for proposing such a complicated and expensive program, it is almost worth it and will be fun to watch as our action hero battles his way through business, unions, nurses, doctors, hospitals, insurance companies, single payer advocates and the legislature trying to get his proposal passed!
Sept. 2006 - - The movie star governor of California who promised to help ordinary people during his campaign showed citizens exactly who he is, what he is made of and who he works for. By vetoing SB 840, a comprehensive public insurance plan for all Californians, he condemned more than 7 million residents to more health care fear and financial destitution while protecting big insurance and pharmaceutical companies.
Savvy State Senator Sheila Kuehl, author of SB 840 was critical of the Governor when he declined to meet with her to discuss her universal health care bill and his subsequent veto on September
22, 2006.
When it comes to nailing down political truths, few can say it better than Jerry Flanagan of The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR):
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's message yesterday announcing he would veto universal health care for California reads like a health insurer's advertising dream, full of catch phrases that twist the truth in order to frighten consumers. The health industry boosted Schwarzenegger to nearly $100 million in campaign donations with a $125,000 burst of contributions in August alone. The industry has given him $4 million overall."
Read the whole article here.
Way to go Arnold. You're a big man when it comes to stepping on the poor and uninsured. But make no mistake about it, we'll be baaaaack.
Aug. 23, 2006 - History is about to be made in California!
Between now (Aug. 22) and August 31, 2006 there will be an historic Assembly Vote on SB 840 which will provide comprehensive, high-quality health insurance for all Californians. If the Assembly passes SB 840, and in all likelihood it will, it will go to Governor Schwarzenegger'desk for his signature ...Whole story here. . .
OneCare.org - Currently organizing 365 California Cities to support SB 840.
Sign their petition! Passage of SB 840 would create the
California Health Insurance System (CHIS), a single payer health care system, administered by the California Health Insurance Agency (CHIA), to provide health
insurance coverage to all California residents.
Make California Dreamin' a Reality
Universal Health Insurance for California:
SB 840 introduced for 2005-2006. This legislation will cover all
California residents with comprehensive medical insurance and save billions of $$$
California Health Care Links:
*OneCare.org
*Health Care for All Californians
*The Foundation for Tax Payer & Consumer Rights (FTCR on HealthCare)
*
Health Access California
Some things money can't buy. Let's add politicians to the list
April 1, 2006 Come to the Hollywood Party to Fix Health Care
Feb.& March 2006 California Events shaping meaningful health care reform
Bulletin: San Franciso may become first city in America with universal health insurance
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FACT SUMMARY:
SB 840 (Kuehl), the California Health Insurance Reliability Act, (CHIRA),
would provide affordable health insurance to all Californians and give them the right to choose his or her own physician and control health cost inflation.
RELIABLE COVERAGE
Eligibility is based on residency.
No California resident will ever again lose his or her health insurance.
AFFORDABLE
NO NEW SPENDING - The system will be paid for by monies already being spent on health care and by insurance premiums.
Replaces all premiums, deductibles, out-of-pocket payments and co-pays now paid by employers and consumers.
EFFICIENT
ELIMINATES WASTE - Consolidates the functions of many insurance companies into one comprehensive insurance plan.
SAVES BILLIONS EACH YEAR. Currently, HALF of every dollar spent on health care is squandered.
California will use its purchasing power to buy Rx drugs and DME bulk.
CHIRA will stabilize health care inflation
and place emphasis on preventative and primary care.
HIGH QUALITY
Consumers have total freedom to choose their personal primary care provider.
Health care providers and facilities will receive fair reimbursement.
CHIRA utilizes proven financial incentives.
The plan invests in needed health care infrastructure.
BENEFITS
Coverage includes hospital, medical, surgical, and mental health; dental and vision care; prescription drugs and medical
equipment, such as hearing aids; emergency care including ambulance; skilled nursing care after hospitalization; substance abuse recovery programs; health education and translation services, including
services for those with hearing and vision impairments; transportation needed to access covered services, diagnostic testing; and hospice care.
CHIRA offers California a broad and clear vision for a remodeled health care system that will provide high quality,
affordable and reliable health care for all residents.
For more information contact Senator Kuehl's Office:
Sara Rogers at (916) 445-1353 or Judy Spelman at (916) 322-1680.
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