SB 840 (Kuehl), California Health Insurance Reliability Act
Universal Health Insurance and Comprehensive Coverage

July 17, 2006

We need to act immediately to pass SB 840 this year!

Act ASAP to ensure SB 840 passes the Appropriations Committee and the Assembly in August to go to the governor's desk.

The League of Women Voters of California urges you to work to pass SB 840 (Kuehl), the California Health Insurance Reliability Act, now! It is the only affordable and viable solution for solving our health care crisis and providing comprehensive health care to all residents. This landmark bill, passed by the Senate last year, is only a few votes away from being sent to the governor's desk this year.

Passing SB 840 this year is a top priority for the LWVC. In August, SB 840 will be referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. After SB 840 is passed by the Appropriations Committee, it will go to the Assembly floor for passage. Eight committee members are coauthors, and only ten votes are needed for passage. Activists must lobby Appropriations Committee members now and then work to gain the 41 votes needed to send the bill to the governor's desk. SB 840 is currently supported by 27 assembly coauthors. We are very close to achieving our objective!

According to the legislative calendar, the last day for the Assembly and the Senate to pass bills is August 31. Then, the legislators are in recess. The governor must sign or veto all bills by September 30. We must not let this opportunity slip by. We must prevail!

Background information on SB 840: Single payer insurance: a viable solution to the health care crisis
Who should be contacted
Who is your assembly member?

Local League and ILO Presidents:

The highest priority is for local League and ILO presidents to schedule visits with targeted assembly members while they are in recess in July. When possible, ask the leadership of other organizations who support SB 840 to attend the meeting in coalition. When appointments are not possible, drop by their offices and request a few minutes to speak with the health care consultant. Leave a packet that includes our health care position, the SB 840 background information, and a short letter urging the assemblymember's support of SB 840. Each assembly member also should be urged to become a coauthor of SB 840.

Forward this alert to as many of your League members as possible with a request for immediate action. E-mail a copy of your letters as a reminder and aid for their action.

League Members:

Members should act as individuals, thus showing legislators evidence of support by their individual constituents. We also urge you to send this alert to as many of your personal contacts as possible.

League Position: The LWVUS Health Care position promotes a health care system for the United States that provides access to a basic level of quality care for all U.S. residents and controls health care costs

For more information, contact the LWVC off-board Health Care Program Director Barbara Storey at bs_lwv004@cox.net.

Keep Us Informed: Please send a copy of your letters of support and any responses to Trudy Schafer, LWVC Program Director/Advocate to:

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF CALIFORNIA
801 12^th Street, Suite 220
Sacramento, CA 95814

916-442-7215, FAX 916-442-7362

E-mail: lwvc@lwvc.org