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September 7, 2006
Call Governor Schwarznegger and Urge Him to Reconsider S8 840!
ATTACHMENTS:
SB840_Kuehl_ltr_Gov.doc
Schwarzenegger_Veto_Government.doc
Dear FCL Supporter,
Governor Schwarzenegger has indicated that he will veto Senate Bill 840, the California Health Insurance Reliability Act which would provide universal health care for California. SB 840 is the culmination of a long and thoughtful deliberative process. Governor Schwarzenegger has indicated that he will veto Senate Bill 840, the California Health Insurance Reliability Act which would provide universal health care for California. SB 840 is the culmination of long and thoughtful deliberative process.
From his press release (copy attached), it appears that the governor didn't bother to read the bill and instead referred to time-honored clichés in explaining his intentions to veto the legislation. With 6.5 million Californians lacking health insurance, we think that the governor should give the bill serious consideration.
If he would do that, he would find that:
- Senate Bill 840 does not create a “government-run” health care system. The delivery of health care services would remain private. Patients would be free to choose their own health care providers. Instead of cherry picking those consumers they would cover, health care providers would be free to compete on the basis of the services they provide. As a result, Senate Bill 840 increases consumer choice.
- Nor would Senate Bill 840 create long patient waits or raise the cost of treatment. By harnessing the bulk purchasing power of the State for prescription drugs and capital equipment, this bill would reduce costs. By making primary care available to all Californians, this legislation would reduce the costs of expensive emergency room treatment.
- Senate Bill 840 is business-friendly. Only those businesses that currently pay nothing would see their costs increase and most would see reductions. Doctors and hospitals would no longer have to treat patients without insurance, which results in the costs of their treatment being passed on to those with insurance.
TAKE ACTION NOW -- Contact Governor Schwarzenegger and ask him to take a serious look at SB 840 and to consider adding his signature to this landmark legislation.
A copy of FCL's latest letter to the governor is
attached.
Letters should be addressed to:
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: (916) 445-4633
Phone the governor at (916) 445-2841
Sincerely yours,
Jim Lindburg
Legislative Advocate
Friends Committee on Legislation
717 K St., Suite 500-B
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 443-3734
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