California OneCare Campaign
Reveals Massive Netroots, Grassroots Campaign
By a vote of 22 to 14, the California Senate today passed historic reform legislation, SB 810, that calls for sweeping changes in the financing of health care.
Under the bill, authored by Senator Mark Leno (SF), all residents would be covered by a true universal health care system, which would pay for all needed health services utilizing a “single payer” insurance system. Most residents would be required to pay into the system and all would be covered, with no additional co-pays, deductibles or exclusions for pre-existing conditions.
Comprehensive reform. Under SB 810, private insurance companies would be replaced by one non-profit health insurance fund. All services, including prescription medications and equipment would be paid by the single fund – hence the term “single payer.” All California residents will be covered with comprehensive, universal coverage for all necessary health care including doctors, hospital, medications, mental health, medical equipment, dental, eye care and more. Under the SB 810 legislation, hospitals and doctors would continue to operate privately, while insurance would be financed publicly.
SB 810 is expected to be revenue neutral to the state and cost most businesses and residents less for the most comprehensive health care reform plan ever offered Americans.
A strategic Plan to WIN. Sponsors of the bill applauded the Senators who supported this victory and outlined coalition plans for a massive multimedia grassroots educational campaign to pass the bill through the Assembly later this year.
One key component of the campaign will be an historic multimedia advertising campaign that will feature a new 30-second TV spot every day for a year starring celebrities, political leaders, health care activists and victims. Some 60 spots have already been produced, featuring Lily Tomlin, Paula Poundstone, Elliot Gould, Ed Begley, Valerie Harper, Connie Stevens, Tracy Newman, Ken Howard, Ed Asner, Sheila Kuehl and more. Supporters will be invited to submit their own versions.
Massive Grassroots Education. Kicking off on March 1, the 365-day ad and grass roots organizing campaign will gain momentum during the most tumultuous political period in decades, including a key state primary and the November election for Governor, Senate and Assembly seats. The goal of the campaign is to achieve passage and approval of the legislation by a two-thirds super majority of legislators in order to pass the financing legislation to implement SB 810. Similar single payer bills were passed twice by a 62% majority of the California legislature only to be vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger.
Californians will be invited to get active on line or join neighborhood events to educate others about the benefits of this major reform of our health care system. Leaders expect that California’s success with a single payer system will lead other states to adopt it as well.
California OneCare and the 365 Ad Campaign are a project of Health Care for All-California and supported by single payer advocacy groups nationwide.
A beautiful day for California. But we can’t do anything when Governor Schwarzenegger who comes from a country with a single payer health care system for all citizens, vetoes.
This bill needs to be put in to law right now i have TWO potential fatal infections in two teeth and my dentist says there is nothing he can do short of me paying over 3,000 dollars, which I do not have! I am disabled and live on a very tight budget, and it dumbfounds me that i might die because i can’t afford to live. Now there is a program that has been passed by the senate and it seems that I will get the help i need and now I here that our Gov. is going to veto this bill i think i am going to puke! I’m soo scared!
Wow. Did not even know this was going on. WE NEED TO SET the INsurance companies outside of the money taking they are doing. I’m very interested in learning more and participating if I can. Carolyn Jones
What is the assigned number for the Assembly’s version of this bill? I’ve searched this session’s bills, and I don’t see a matching or related bill.
Or will it remain “SB 810” in the Assembly for their vote too, as a ping-pong?
OK, I just called my senator’s office in Sacramento, and I’m told it will indeed remain SB 810 as it passes through committee and onto the floor for a vote – and that the Assembly does NOT have a similar or related bill.
“Most residents would be required to pay into the system and all would be covered” doesn’t sound like something I want to participate in. Why should I have to help pay for other people? I do that enough as it is. And I’m assuming the illegals and other poor immigrants are the ones who won’t have to pay anything – as usual. I have insurance through my work and I have the right to keep it that way. If you want to provide shabby healthcare to further Eugenics , or to use people as unknowing experiements, or whatever other sinister plot you have in mind to control people, then do it to those who are stupid enough to want it.
Eileen W. must be ANOTHER paranoid Rep…afraid to make a change and move us forward…let alone help your fellow man. I’m not talking about illegal immigrants just poor and needy Americans.
California will be the leader in providing health insurance for all in 2011 when it is passed and signed into law by Gov. Brown.
We the People of California should make this a law when we change our state constitution. Part of the referendum that is now taking place and gaining momentum. Our elected officials must represent the voters not the Coperatetistas.
Eileen,
SB 810 was written in consultation with University healthcare academics and systemic specialists in Canada, Belguim, France, and Italy. It is comprehensive covering dental, eye care, and pharmaceuticals which your work policy may not cover. It cannot unfortunately assist with lapses of judgement.
Lapses of judgment come up far too often when coming from Republicans and their protectors.
I believe the super majority is needed to overturn a veto by The Governator if I’m not mistaken.
But if not then I think the timing of this is slightly messed up. I would like to think you would want to pass this once we have new Governor since Arnold is termed out of office. (thank god)
The Republican candidates for both Boxer’s seat and the Governors Office are laughable at best.
In spite the odds, health care is very important. It's one consolation for life's hard work especially to the lowly workers.
With Jerry Brown likely to become our new Governor, and Gavin Newsom, who has already implemented single payer in San Francisco, and what’s become a huge success, it looks as if California OneCare will become a reality.
Vote Democratic, people!