Single payer is a publicly financed health insurance system that provides full coverage, for all, for less. For more information about this plan and Senate Bill 810 that would create it, click on the links below.
California OneCare Video | SB 810 Overview | SB 810 Details
Why we must pass single payer immediately.
Sen. Leno Promises to Re-Introduce SB 810 in the Next Session
Last night, on the state Assembly floor, Senate Bill 810 was not brought up for a vote and, therefore, died.
The reasons for the failure, as best as we can tell at this time, are twofold.
First, the conservative Democrats (some label them Blue Dogs, we label them Yellow Dogs) were scared that a vote for single payer would provide their Republican opponent a campaign issue that would lead to their defeat in the November elections. Thus, the Speaker of the Assembly heeded their election concerns and didn’t bring the bill to a vote.
The second reason is just as predictable and insidious. The health insurance lobby did everything in their power, which is considerable as we know, and helped kill the bill. The insurance industry has our single payer legislation on their political radar screen and they, as they say, went to work.
In the coming weeks, we’ll provide you a more detailed analysis of this defeat, after we gather more information.
Senator Leno immediately communicated to us that he will re-introduce the bill next session. We must learn from this event and redouble our efforts to pass the bill next year.
We’ve made huge progress during the past two years of this campaign for SB 810 and we profoundly thank you for our continued support and action.
We know that with your help, WE WILL WIN.
Andrew McGuire
Executive Director
California OneCare Campaign
Adam Arkin quotes Senator Bernie Sanders: “The fight for universal and comprehensive health care is the civil rights battle of our time.” It’s the will of the people against the most powerful special interests in the nation. Join us and help us win, Adam says.
Are more Californians finally ready to ditch the private, for-profit health insurance industry? Here comes yet another reason to do so. Last week, The Los Angeles Times reported that California insurance regulators approved Anthem Blue Cross rate hikes averaging between 14% and 20% on individual policyholders. Anthem competitor Blue Shield was allowed rate increases averaging between 19% and 29%. The hikes are to take effect Oct. 1.
The new rate hikes come after Anthem received much deserved public outrage when the company proposed a 39% increase in February. But a 14% increase is supposed to be acceptable? That could be just enough to put coverage out of reach for many of Anthem’s customers, especially in an economy where wages continue to stagnate and jobs are few and far between.
Speaking for Controlled Healthcare Insurance Corp., the incomparable Ernestine tells a patient, “Life itself is a pre-existing condition. Our prescription for it: Don’t get sick!” That’s the only way to stay ahead of the insurance companies whose only concern is profits. As Ernestine says, “It takes big bucks to run an insurance company, medical care is the least of it.”
