Help CA get last two votes for single payer health care!

KEY EXCERPTS:







Single Payer 2 Votes Short in Senate

by David Gorn



The idea of a single-payer health care system in California stalled on the Senate floor yesterday, falling two votes short of passage.



Reconsideration of the bill was granted, though, so proponents of SB 810 by Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) have until Tuesday to reintroduce the bill. First they will have to come up with two big votes . The bill failed on a 19-15 vote.



The idea of universal coverage has been passed by the Legislature before. In 2007 and 2009, both houses approved the idea, only to have it vetoed by Gov. Schwarzenegger. Last year, it passed the Senate and stalled when it was not brought to the floor in the Assembly.



FULL TEXT by David GornThe idea of a single-payer health care system in California stalled on the Senate floor yesterday,Reconsideration of the bill was granted, though, soThe idea of universal coverage has been passed by the Legislature before. In 2007 and 2009, both houses approved the idea, only to have it vetoed by Gov. Schwarzenegger. Last year, it passed the Senate and stalled when it was not brought to the floor in the Assembly.



Single payer for California has made it to the governor's desk twice before, but Arnold vetoed it both times.



Now we have a Democratic governor who is a lot more likely to sign it than our former Austrian Autocrat.



Five Democratic state senators abstained from voting, but if two of them vote yes by the 31st, the bill will go to the Assembly.



I have a personal stake in this: I taught community college for ten years before any of my employers offered me health insurance--and that's just for me, it won't cover my wife or child.



My wife's dad lost his health insurance with his job, but is too young for Medicare, so he drives to Tijuana every month or so for cheaper out of pocket medical care.



That's a disgrace in the richest, most powerful nation on Earth. We have a right to the same kind of universal healthcare people in Europe and every other advanced democracy enjoy.



As I said in my letter to the five holdouts:



If a handful of Democratic senators block this historic opportunity, it will make a lot of us wonder if you guys actually care about average people or only do bold legislation when you know you have a business-owned governor who can be depended on to veto it.



It's critical that you call, fax, or email these five abstainers and tell them to support Mark Leno's SB 810 single payer bill or expect a progressive primary opponent in their next election.





Alex Padilla (Pacoima/LA area)

Capitol  916-651-4020

Fax: 916-324-6645

District  818-901-5588

Fax: 818-901-5562

online contact form



Rod Wright (Los Angeles area)

(916) 651-4025

Fax: 916-445-3712

(310) 412-0393

online contact form



Juan Vargas (San Diego area)

Sac: (916) 651-4040

Fax: (916) 327-3522

Dist: (619) 409-7690

(619) 409-7688

online contact form



Michael Rubio (Fresno/Bakersfield area)

Sac: (916) 651-4016

Fax: (916) 327-5989

Dist: (661) 395-2620

Fax: (661) 395-2622

online contact form



Ron Calderon (Los Angeles area)

Sac: (916) 651-4030

Fax: (916) 327-8755

Dist: (323) 890-2790

Fax: (323) 890-2795

online contact form



Follow the developments at:







Single payer for California has made it to the governor's desk twice before, but Arnold vetoed it both times.Now we have a Democratic governor who is a lot more likely to sign it than our former Austrian Autocrat.Five Democratic state senators abstained from voting, but if two of them vote yes by the 31st, the bill will go to the Assembly.I have a personal stake in this: I taught community college for ten years before any of my employers offered me health insurance--and that's just for me, it won't cover my wife or child.My wife's dad lost his health insurance with his job, but is too young for Medicare, so he drives to Tijuana every month or so for cheaper out of pocket medical care.That's a disgrace in the richest, most powerful nation on Earth. We have a right to the same kind of universal healthcare people in Europe and every other advanced democracy enjoy.As I said in my letter to the five holdouts:It's critical that you call, fax, or email these five abstainers and tell them to support Mark Leno's SB 810 single payer bill or expect a progressive primary opponent in their next election.Alex Padilla (Pacoima/LA area)Capitol  916-651-4020Fax: 916-324-6645District  818-901-5588Fax: 818-901-5562Rod Wright (Los Angeles area)(916) 651-4025Fax: 916-445-3712(310) 412-0393Juan Vargas (San Diego area)Sac: (916) 651-4040Fax: (916) 327-3522Dist: (619) 409-7690(619) 409-7688Michael Rubio (Fresno/Bakersfield area)Sac: (916) 651-4016Fax: (916) 327-5989Dist: (661) 395-2620Fax: (661) 395-2622Ron Calderon (Los Angeles area)Sac: (916) 651-4030Fax: (916) 327-8755Dist: (323) 890-2790Fax: (323) 890-2795Follow the developments at: 24 Tweet