RE:universal healthcare can benefit the people and us

[Guest guest]

Here is an article that I hope causes us to get more involved. We need

political leaders in the profession who are not small thinkers and

understand the importance of this change in healthcare climate. A bill such

as this can move us more into the limelight and allow for greater access by

a deserving population. What say you?

 

 

 

Mike W. Bowser, L Ac

 

News Release

THE GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA www.cagreens.org

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, July 7, 2005

Contact: Sara Amir, spokesperson 310.270.7106 saraamir

Beth Moore Haines, spokesperson 530.277.0610 beth

 

 

Green Party of California warns

'greedy' special interests trying to kill

universal health care bill in Legislature

 

SACRAMENTO (July 7, 2005) – Citing the " health of all Californians, " the

Green Party of California today applauded the passage this week by a key

Assembly committee of legislation to create a universal health care system

– but warned " greedy " special interests are trying to kill the bill.

 

SB 840, the California Health Insurance Reliability Act (CHIRA) by Sen.

Sheila Kuehl (D-Los Angeles), survived the Assembly Health Committee on a

9-4 vote and now moves to the full Assembly for a vote. It earlier passed

the Senate.

 

" One in five Californians are now uninsured. The Green Party for years has

urged Democrats and Republicans to approve legislation such as this.

Everyone's health depends on its final passage, " said Beth Moore Haines,

spokesperson for the GPCA.

 

Moore Haines – who said Greens are holding community forums to help build

support for the bill – warned powerful business special interests are

aiming to derail the legislation.

 

" We understand there is a move by greedy special interests to call in

special favors of lawmakers they have supported financially to scuttle this

measure in favor of corporations, not people. This cannot be allowed to

happen, " she said.

 

The measure would allow every Californian to pay an annual means-based

premium for all coverage, including medical, dental, vision, prescription

drug, hospitalization and emergency coverage, instead of the current,

insurance-based system which is costing more each year but providing less

coverage.

 

SB 840 enables the State of California to utilize its full purchasing power

to negotiate bulk discounts for prescription drugs and durable medical

equipment like all other industrial countries. Medical care, retail

pharmacy sales and other health care delivery services would remain

private.

 

An analysis from the independent Lewin Group concluded Sen. Kuehl's plan

would afford residents comprehensive, affordable insurance and still save

California $8 billion the first year and $344 billion over 10 years.

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