Will governor make history with universal health bill?
We can end the health care crisis now, and California has the right plan do to it: SB 840 (Kuehl), health care reform legislation now on the Governor”s desk for signature.
SB 840 is a not-for-profit, single-payer health insurance plan much like Medicare.
A clear majority (62 percent) of California”s legislators approved it; 70 percent of all Californian”s want it; and 59 percent of our physicians support it. A massive grass roots movement continues to work hard to make it happen here in California, a bellwether state.
Private insurance wastes 33 percent of every health care dollar on administration and corporate profits, while Medicare costs just three percent to administer. The plan detailed by SB 840 legislation is a more cost-effective, comprehensive, and equalitarian alternative to the costly, ineffective, and discriminatory for profit system currently in place.
The private insurance industry has failed to control costs and to provide adequate health care coverage to the vast majority of California”s citizens. The insurance industry maximizes profits by minimizing medical expenses, and dropping or refusing insurance to people who truly need medical care. Thus the industry operates with a perverse disincentive to providing fair and adequate coverage for all.
Over 500 endorsing organizations, including businesses, city councils, churches, unions, statewide organizations, and millions of independent Californians vigorously support SB 840 as the most viable solution to the health care crisis.
By signing SB 840, Schwarzenegger could go down in history as the first governor in the country to sign a true universal health care bill into law. But will he make the most of the historic opportunity?
Anna Santaella
Lakeport
