Kuehl Pushes for State-Run Health Plan (Single Payer State System)

[Quetzal]

Kuehl Pushes for State-Run Health Plan

SACRAMENTO — Despite the ballot defeat last fall of a plan requiring that most California businesses provide employee healthcare, some Democratic lawmakers are considering an even broader insurance overhaul that would replace private companies with one government-run program.

Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica), its chief legislative proponent, released a study Wednesday that said her proposal could save $8 billion of the $184 billion expected to be spent on healthcare in California next year. It would also reduce the state's ranks of 5.3 million uninsured residents, one of the highest levels in the country.

Kuehl's plan would levy payroll and other taxes to create a government insurer, often called a single-payer and compared in form to Canada's system.

The savings would come from bulk purchasing of drugs and equipment, and eliminating much of the administrative cost that private insurers now bill, according to the study by the Lewin Group. The Virginia-based company was paid $90,000 for its analysis by the Health Care for All-California Education Fund, a Sebastopol-Calif.-based nonprofit established by supporters of the single-payer system.

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Kuehl Pushes for State-Run Health Plan

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[Rowdyboy]

1. She is a class act

California state senator
Professor at Loyola University
Gay rights advocate
and, best of all, Zelda Gilroy!

I loved her character on Dobie Gillis when I was a kid and she's stillmaking waves. First she stands up to Ahnuld over his "girlie man" crap and now "single payer". You go girl!

[bemildred]

2. About time. nt

[kineneb]

3. where do I sign on?

Hubby can't get anything except CMSP (rural MediCal for adults)which requires us to stay close to $934 income or pay the remainder to the State. Try living on that anywhere in CA with medical expenses and special diet.

[Coastie for Truth]

4. With the Frist family closing Regional in Downtown SJ

the working level providers (Nurses) at Valley etc. are behind a single "non-profit" payer.

My docs at PAMF are in favor of a single "non-profit" payer.

Seems only the insurance companies - and Arnold - like the present system.

[bluestateboomer]

5. What can we do to support this? n/t

[JDPriestly]

6. I'll back this.

We should point out that Schwarzenegger's home country, Austria, has a single payer system, and it works well there. Schwarzenegger grew up with such a system -- and look at how healthy he thinks he is.

[yurbud]

8. someone should ask Arnold what he thinks of that system!

could create some embarassment for him in the fatherland.

[eridani]

7. Press conference in Sacramento

Please join us in Sacramento on February 23, 2005 for the unveiling of the California Health Insurance Reliability Act of 2005 (CHIRA).

For those of you who live in Sacramento or the surrounding areas, or can make it to the State Capitol on Wednesday, Feb 23rd, your attendance and support for CHIRA is needed and greatly appreciated.

Senator Kuehl will be holding a press conference for press only in the Governor's Press Room at the State Capitol beginning at 11:00 AM to introduce the California Health Insurance Reliability Act of 2005.

We invite you to join us for an outdoor continuation of the press conference and rally beginning at 12:00 noon on the south steps outside the Capitol.

If you would like to participate in the lobby efforts immediately following this outdoor press conference and rally, please see schedule below:

Wednesday, Feb. 23

9:40 AM: Lobbyists/Advocates convene at the Sixth Floor Cafe at the Capitol to review talking points for afternoon lobbying visits and to receive packets about the bill to be taken to legislators' offices

12AM to 1PM: Outdoor press conference and Campaign - Kick Off on the South steps of the Capitol, featuring Sen. Kuehl, co-authors, and supporters of the bill.

1PM to 3PM: Lobby legislators

1:45PM to 3PM: Debriefing about results of lobby visits at the Sixth Floor Cafe at the Capitol

For more information about the rally and or lobby visits that day, please contact: Carolyn Negrete, Legislative Liaison, Health Care for All-California, 916-424-5316 or [e-mail]

[yurbud]

9. LETTER TO KUEHL:sell single payer as small business vs. insurance industry

Sell single payer as small business vs. insurance industry.

The fewer employees a business has, the negotiating power it has when buying insurance for it's employees. Consequently, they pay way more than corporations and have less bucks for pay, or they just don't offer health insurance, making their jobs less attractive than those with large corporations.

Most employers hate the cost of health care as much as workers, but single payer hasn't been sold to them.

This is the angle, but it takes nerves of steel to do it.

You have to run commercials comparing profits of insurance companies with those of small businesses.

I beg you, don't do the usual half-assed democratic sales job on this. Go for the jugular and say what interests are in your way, and the people will follow you.

I have taught community college for seven and a half years and don't have health insurance. I get some basic health care by taking a one hour class each semester so I can go to the student health center on campus. Last year, I had severe stomach cramps and rectal bleeding, and the student health center wanted my to get a colonoscopy. Even at the county health center it would have cost me $1000. I still haven't gotten it.

You are a politician that gives me hope--but we need you to follow through and ignore the advice of those who counsel conciliation with the far right. The are beating us with baseball bats while democrats are being careful not to curse each time they are whacked.

[Pushed To The Left]

11. Excellent idea!

It looks like this would take the health care burden off of employers.

[Dan Ancona]

15. Yeah - business should be totally behind this!

I don't know why every small business in the country hasn't taken this up as their top issue. As an occasional entrepreneur, I've been there: you have enough problems to deal with. It's hard enough to convince people to come and take a risk on your crazy idea without having them lose their health coverage (or pay through the schnoz for it) at the same time.

I think the reason "business" hasn't been behind that is because the state chamber of commerce is totally locked up by the multinationals. I know a lot of local chambers are at least somewhat more progressive, but they don't have nearly the same voice as the big players. Very frustrating.

[newyawker99]

24. Hi Dan Ancona!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[kineneb]

12. Excellent selling point

"The fewer employees a business has, the negotiating power it has when buying insurance for it's employees. Consequently, they pay way more than corporations and have less bucks for pay, or they just don't offer health insurance, making their jobs less attractive than those with large corporations."

I am the only paid staff and health insurance is therefore not offered. I don't get paid vacations, either. :-(

[Helga Scow Stern]

18. Good strategy. n/t

[yurbud]

10. Kuehl should replace feinstein

[eridani]

13. SB 840 to be heard in committee

SB 840 (Kuehl), The Health Insurance Reliability Act will be heard in the Senate Health Committee at the end of March/beginning of April. We will notify you when an exact date has been set.

In the meantime, please send individual letters of support by fax or mail to your State Senator and State Assemblymember and please cc Senator Kuehl's office. Please see attached co-author list. If your
Assemblymember or Senator has already co-authored the bill, please amend the letter to thank them for their support. Senator Kuehl's office will send copies to members of the Senate Health Committee.


1. Identify your own State Senator and Assemblymember online by visiting http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html

2. Please cc:
Senator Sheila Kuehl
c/o Sara Rogers
State Capitol, Room 5108
Sacramento, CA 95814
[phone]

To view a full copy of the bill, go to www.leginfo.ca.gov
To view a full copy of the Lewin Report, go to www.healthcareforall.org

Thank you for your support!

[eridani]

14. April 6, 2005, 1:30PM, Room 112

California Health Insurance Reliability Act, SB 840, Kuehl
Hearing Senate Banking, Finance and Insurance Committee
Senator Jackie Speier, Chair

April 6, 2005, 1:30PM, Room 112
We need 6 votes to pass (Senators Ortiz and Lowenthal co-authors).

Please send individual and organizational letters of support (see samples attached) to Senator Jackie Speier, Chair; Senate Insurance Committee. For your convenience, contact information for the additional members of the Senate Insurance Committee is attached. Please cc your Assemblymember and State Senator and cc Senator Kuehl's capitol office - Contact information is listed below.

Identify your own State Senator and Assemblymember online by visiting http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html

Please cc: Senator Sheila Kuehl
c/o Sara Rogers
State Capitol, Room 5108
Sacramento, CA 95814
FAX [phone]

Senate Banking, Finance and Insurance Committee Members:

Jackie Speier, Chair, Senate Insurance Committee
Dem - San Francisco/San Mateo
Capitol Office
State Capitol, Room 2032
Sacramento, CA 95814
[phone] Fax

Alan S. Lowenthal, CO-AUTHOR
Dem - Long Beach
Capitol Office
State Capitol, Room 3048
Sacramento, CA 95814
[phone] Fax

Deborah Ortiz - CO-AUTHOR
Dem - Sacramento
Capitol Office
State Capitol, Room 5114
Sacramento, CA 95814
[phone] Fax

Kevin Murray
Dem - Culver City
Capitol Office
State Capitol, Room 5050
Sacramento, CA 95814
[phone] Fax

Liz Figueroa
Dem - Fremont
Capitol Office
State Capitol, Room 4061
Sacramento, CA 95814
[phone] Fax
Michael Machado
Dem - Stockton/Linden
Capitol Office
State Capitol, Room 5066
Sacramento, CA 95814
[phone] Fax

Jack Scott
Dem - Pasadena
Capitol Office
State Capitol, Room 2082
Sacramento, CA 95814
[phone] Fax

Abel Maldonado
Rep - San Jose
Capitol Office
State Capitol, Room 4082
Sacramento, CA 95814
[phone] Fax

Dave Cox, Vice-Chair, Senate Insurance Committee
Rep - Roseville
Capitol Office
State Capitol, Room 2068
Sacramento, CA 95814
[phone] Fax

Jeff Denham
Rep - Modesto
Capitol Office
State Capitol, Room 3076
Sacramento, CA 95814
[phone] Fax

Dennis Hollingsworth
Rep - Temecula
Capitol Office
State Capitol, Room 5064
Sacramento, CA 95814
[phone] Fax

E-mail addresses use the same format - [e-mail]

[eridani]

16. W00T!!!

:toast: :bounce: :toast: :bounce: :toast: :bounce:

Wednesday, April 6, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Sara Rogers 916 445 1353 or Robin Podolsky 323 251 3365

SENATOR KUEHL'S SB 840, THE CALIFORNIA HEALTH INSURANCE RELIABILITY ACT, PASSES THE SENATE INSURANCE COMMITTEE

SB 840 WILL PROVIDE STATEWIDE INSURANCE COVERAGE AND FREE CHOICE OF DOCTORS

On Wednesday, April 6, Senate Bill 840, the California Health Insurance Reliability Act (CHIRA), authored by State Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-23), was passed by the State Senate Insurance Committee by a vote of 7 to 4.

The bill will cover every Californian with comprehensive health insurance and guarantee each state resident the right to choose his or her own physician, while containing healthcare cost inflation. By slashing the administrative costs of health insurance and utilizing California's purchasing power to buy prescription drugs and medical equipment in bulk, CHIRA will save an estimated $25 billion, in the first year alone, in statewide healthcare spending. Senate President Pro Tempore Don Perata is a co-author of CHIRA, as is Senator Deborah Ortiz, Chair of the Senate Health Committee and Assemblymember Wilma Chan, Chair of the Assembly Health Committee.

CHIRA is based on a model put forward, in a study released this January, by the Lewin Group, an independent firm with 18 years of experience in healthcare cost analysis. According to the Lewin model, all state residents can be insured, with full coverage that includes medical, dental, vision, hospitalization and prescription drug benefits, and that is based on a high standard for quality, if the reimbursement process is streamlined.

Means-based premiums, assessed according to income and payroll, would replace all premiums, deductibles, co-pays and out of pocket expenses. The vast majority of individuals, families and businesses that pay for insurance would save money while receiving better coverage.

"Everybody knows that healthcare costs are out of control. The system is broken and tinkering won't fix it," said Senator Kuehl. "We're beyond the point of cosmetic surgery. SB 840 is the cure."

"Given the expected changes in federal bankruptcy law, passage of this bill has never been more urgent," the Senator continued. "Half of the personal bankruptcies in this country are related to medical expenses, and most of the people who are bankrupted have insurance when they get sick.

Current insurance plans are failing consumers. Deductibles are too high, and coverage is too weak. My bill offers comprehensive, affordable coverage; offers free choice of doctors and holds down healthcare costs."
A new report from Boston University concluded that about 50% of health care spending is wasted on unnecessary clinical and administrative costs, insurance company profits, and excessive pharmaceutical prices in the U.S.

Spending on health care now consumes about 15.5% of our nation's projected economic growth (GDP), yet Americans are not receiving superior health care.

"We don't need to spend more," stated Senator Kuehl, "we need to be much more efficient with the amount we already spend."

[Luminous Animal]

17. Excellent news! (n/t)

[Helga Scow Stern]

19. I just wonder how far anything can get, now

that we have a Republican-controlled state. I don't think State-run healthcare is part of the Norquist-Rove agenda.

[David Zephyr]

20. Kicking for Kuehl!

:thumbsup:

[realFedUp]

21. This is so important to get behind

California, always a leader, can pass
this through through the Legislature
and get it on Arnie's desk. There
should be a lot of public pressure
for him to sign this.

Urge your State Senators to support
this..it doesn't cost the state anything
to implement and would be so good
for residents health care.

Write letters to the editors about
this bill.

[eridani]

22. And attend the following public meetings!

Dear Healthcare Reform Advocates:

Please join me at an upcoming event so that we may coordinate our efforts and develop a comprehensive statewide strategy for outreach and education to ensure the successful passage of SB 840, The California Health Insurance Reliability Act.

There are two meetings scheduled for your convenience, one in northern California and the other in southern California:

Monday, April 25, 2005 from 9:30 AM to 12 Noon
Trinity Episcopal Church at 27th and Capitol Ave., Sacramento
Park on the street or in the lot at the southeast corner of 27th and Capitol Ave.

or

Friday, April 29, 2005 from 9:30 AM to 12 noon at the

Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Westminister Chapel
3300 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles
on the corner of Wilshire and Berendo St.
(The entrance to the Chapel is on Berendo St.)
Park in UTLA parking lot (across from the UTLA Bldg.), enter from Berendo St.

As you know, earlier this year I introduced SB 840, The Health Insurance Reliability Act, which will provide affordable, reliable, heath insurance coverage to all Californians. This new bill continues the work we began over the last two years as we built a movement of 500 organizations in support of SB 921, educated thousands of Californians about our vision for health care reform and inspired thousands of average voters to
advocate on its behalf.

Thanks to your hard work and dedication, we have a strong foundation to build upon over the coming year. We have a good deal of work to do. In that regard, I am writing to invite you to attend an assembly of supporting organizations in order to help form, craft and shape the coming grassroots effort to support the passage of SB 840.

Our goal is to make sure that each week we continue to educate thousands of California residents in communities across the state about the bill. Additionally, our goal is to broaden and expand our list of organizational support. But most importantly, our goal for this assembly of supporters is to cultivate regional grassroots organizational capacity to support and sustain a broad coalition of California voters and organizations, each committed to strengthen their community's commitment to achieving reliable, and affordable health insurance for all.

Please join me at this upcoming event so that we may coordinate our efforts and develop a comprehensive statewide strategy for outreach and education to ensure the successful passage of the bill.

Everyone is welcome to attend, especially representatives from organizations who endorsed SB 921 last year and/or SB 840 this year.

To see this bill and the Lewin Group analysis of the model upon which SB 840 is based, go to www.healthcareforall.org

Thank you for all your hard work and continued support. I look forward to seeing you either on April 25 in Sacramento or April 29 in Los Angeles.


Sincerely,
Sheila J. Kuehl
California State Senator, 23rd District

[eridani]

23. Passed Senate Health Committee!!

:headbang: :party: :headbang: :party: :woohoo: :woohoo: :applause: :bounce:

The California Health Insurance Reliability Act, CHIRA, SB 840, Kuehl passed the Senate Health Committee yesterday by a vote of 7- 4 with all the Democrats on the committee voting for the bill and all the Republicans voting against it. The bill will now go to the Senate Appropriations Committee and then to the Senate Floor before June 3, 2005.

Minor amendments were made to the bill following the vote in the Senate Insurance Committee on April 6. You can access the new, amended version from the Senate website at www.sen.ca.gov or at www.healthcareforall.org

Senate Appropriations Committee:
SB 840 will be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee late May. SB 840 has strong support among the Democrats on the Appropriations Committee, as shown in the list below.

Democrats on the Appropriations Committee

Sen. Migden, Chair -- Coauthor
Sen. Alquist -- Coauthor
Sen. Bowen
Sen. Escutia -- Coauthor
Sen. Florez -- Coauthor
Sen. Murray -- Coauthor
Sen. Ortiz -- Principal Coauthor
Sen. Speier -- Chair of Insurance Committee, which SB 840 passed

Senate Floor:

According to the amended bill, the latest list of Senate coauthors of SB 840 is as follows: Alquist, Cedillo, Chesbro, Escutia, Figueroa, Florez, Lowenthal, Migden, Murray, Ortiz, Perata, Romero, and Soto.


All other Democratic Senators need to hear from their constituents prior to June 3. Identify your own State Senator and Assemblymember online by visiting http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html



Bill Update: SB 840 is not going to have fiscal language added. It will remain a "policy" bill. The substance of the act will be divided into two bills (the policy bill and the fiscal bill). SB 840 will remain the policy bill with all of the benefits, governance structure, transitional procedures, delivery of care details, consumer advocacy and protections and structures for efficiencies and savings and sustainability spelled out.

Funding for CHIRA will be developed in the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee with Senator Mike Machado, Chair, taking the lead in analyzing different funding plans. The first hearing will be this June 2005, when experts will begin to look at the possibilities. (As many of us know, the Lewin Group has done two cost/benefit studies of proposals that address California's health system.) A fiscal bill based on feedback from these hearings will be introduced in January 2006.

[brook]

25. I had the great...

good fortune to meet a lady this weekend who is working for healthcareforall. I have emailed Maldonado & Blaksee, both Republicans and urged them to 'do the right thing' and support SB840.

[Technowitch]

26. I'm a small business owner.

And I mean *really* small. As in, my spouse are joint owners of a registered LLC.

It so happens that we're able to get in with a group called 'Media Alliance', because of the nature of the contracts we do. Still, the cost of the insurance is insane, and that's for one of the crappiest policies possible.

If a state-run single-payer program was available, I'd jump for it in a heartbeat.

[eridani]

27. Last push! Coming up for a vote by June 3rd!

SB 840 (Kuehl), The California Health Insurance Reliability Act is currently in the Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Senator Midgen who is a co-author of the bill. We do not need to target the members of the appropriations committee, as we expect the bill to move to the Senate Floor this Thursday and will be voted on by the full Senate before June 3rd (deadline).

Please send a letter to YOUR senator and ask for their support on the Senate Floor. Identify your own State Senator online by visiting http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html,

For more information on how you can further advocate for the success of the bill, visit www.healthcareforall.org

We will keep you informed when we have more information on the likely date of the vote on the Senate floor.

If your legislator is a co-author of SB 840 (see list below), please thank them. If they are not, please encourage them to be a co-author.

SB 840 Co-Authors: Senators, Alquist, Cedillo, Chesbro, Escutia, Figueroa, Florez, Lowenthal, Migden, Murray, Ortiz, Perata, Romero, and Soto

Thank you for your continued support!

[eridani]

28. Health care rally in Palo Alto on June 1st, 11:00AM

HEALTHCARE ADVOCATES!!!
IMPORTANT RALLY!
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1ST
11:00 A.M.

PALO ALTO OFFICES OF
STATE SENATOR JOE SIMITIAN
160 TOWN AND COUNTRY SHOPPING CENTER
CORNER: EMBARCADERO ROAD AND EL CAMINO REAL
PALO ALTO

We need Senator Simitian’s ‘yes’ vote when SB 840, the
California Health Insurance Reliability Act of 2005 (CHIRA)
goes to the floor of the full Senate sometime between now and
June 3rd!!!


BRING SIGNS SUPPORTING SB 840 AND UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE!

Organized by Healthcare for All – Silicon Valley Coalition
Health Care for All-Santa Cruz Chapter
Community Homeless Alliance Ministry

The Labor Party
With many other organizations invited and participating.

HEALTHCARE IS A HUMAN RIGHT!