SEIU Press Release
December 17, 2007

(SACRAMENTO) -- The California State Council of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) commended the Governor and the Speaker of the Assembly, Fabian Núñez, for the landmark health care reform proposal in ABx1 1.

"Our healthcare has been deteriorating," said Annelle Grajeda, president of both the SEIU California State Council and SEIU Local 721, "and individuals and families are being hit hard from all sides. We can pass this proposal and make our healthcare more secure and accessible, or do nothing and watch our coverage crumble even more. On behalf of the millions of Californians who can't afford to wait any longer, SEIU locals in California yesterday voted unanimously to support AB x1 1."

Grajeda pointed to the fundamental trends in healthcare that need to be fixed:

* Having a job and working hard no longer guarantees healthcare. Over 80% of California's 6.5 million uninsured are members of working families.
* Businesses are struggling to provide healthcare and many are dropping coverage. According to the UC Labor Center, only 57% of the population received coverage through their employers in 2004, down from 59% in 2000.
* Costs keep increasing. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, healthcare costs increased 123% between 1990 and 2004, far more than inflation, economic growth, or wages.
* Preventive care is eroding as more people are forced into high-deductible, catastrophic plans and can't afford to take care of basic health needs.
* As individuals and businesses struggle, drug companies and some insurance giants like Blue Cross spend millions to stop reform because they profit from our current, flawed system.

SEIU leaders in California unanimously agreed that the health care reform proposal in ABx 1 1 is a solid foundation for fixing our healthcare.

"This proposal marks the most significant effort to secure our healthcare since Medicare and Medicaid were established in the 1960's," said Sal Rosselli, President of SEIU UHW (United Healthcare Workers-West). "It provides a strong foundation for fixing fundamental problems with healthcare that affect us all, whether we have insurance or whether we're among the millions who will gain coverage through this plan."

In making their decision to support AB x1 1, SEIU leaders highlighted the proposal's scope, ambition, and many strengths:

* First and foremost, AB x1 1 would expand coverage to nearly three quarters of California's uninsured -- 95% of Californians would be insured.
* With a sliding scale employer contribution between and 1 and 6.5%%, depending on the size of payroll, AB x1 1 establishes a minimum standard for employer-based health coverage, as historic and significant as the creation of the minimum wage.
* AB x1 1 helps make healthcare affordable for low and moderate-income Californians (up to 400% of poverty, around $82,000 for a family of four) and for early retirees above 400% between ages 50 and 64. It also includes hardship exemptions.
* AB x1 1 launches fundamental reforms to control costs, including:
    * Public disclosure by health insurers, hospitals, doctors and nursing homes of information on costs and quality
    * Bulk purchasing of drugs
    * Limits on insurance company profits and overhead
    * A new statewide purchasing pool with purchasing power 3-4 times as large as Cal-PERS
    * New prevention and wellness initiatives

"Years from now, we may identify this as the pivotal moment in the fight to transform our nation's health care system," said Andy Stern, International President of SEIU. "California is proving that it is possible, when we all work together, to make real change happen. If the most populous, most diverse state in the country can make health care happen, so can the rest of the country."

The proposal will face both a Senate vote in the near future and a popular vote in November 2008. SEIU continues to work with the Governor and legislative leaders on the legislation and the accompanying ballot measure.

"Families are struggling with serious and growing financial, emotional, and health problems as our healthcare system spins out of control," said Grajeda. "We urge the Assembly to seize this opportunity as an important first step towards achieving comprehensive healthcare reform this year. We can't afford to wait"

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SEIU California State Council coordinates the state-level political and legislative efforts of California's largest union, SEIU, the Service Employees International Union. 650,000 members strong in California, we make our voices heard on issues that matter to working families: health care, living wages, secure retirement, safe staffing in hospitals, quality long-term care, ensuring that all children have a chance to succeed, and much more.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2007

Contact: Lupe Alonzo-Diaz
(916) 448-3234

(In response to the Speaker’s release of Assembly Bill X1 1, Lupe Alonzo-Diaz, executive director, Latino Coalition for a Healthy California, released the following statement.)

“The Latino Coalition is pleased to see further movement on health care reform. Over 6 million uninsured Californians can not wait.

“ABX1 1 begins to reflect the willingness of both the Speaker and the Governor to set aside bipartisan politics and do the right thing. From what we’ve seen so far, this proposal addresses what Californians need – real, affordable healthcare coverage.

“I am confident that with the Governor and Speaker’s leadership, we will have a lot to be grateful for this Thanksgiving Holiday.”

“The Speaker’s proposal is a real olive branch to the Governor, since incorporating an individual mandate and decreasing the employer fee go a long way towards meeting him in the middle.

“It also pays for reform by levying a tax on cigarettes. A tobacco tax would provide a solid source of funding for health care, while at the same time discouraging a very unhealthy habit. It’s win-win for everybody – except maybe for Big Tobacco.

“The Speaker’s just taken us a big step forward. The negotiations aren’t over, but one last push could get us to the health care reform California needs.”

CALPIRG is a statewide membership-based public interest group that stands up to powerful interests, working to win concrete results for Californians’ health and well-being. With researchers, advocates, organizers and students, we advocate on behalf of consumers and all California’s residents.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2007

Contact: Nora Vargas
415-284-7228 or
415-254-5383

Revisions Provide Greater Promise to Expand Access to Health Care for Latinos

San Francisco – With less than two months left in the “Year of Health Care Reform” and no deal yet, Latino Issues Forum (LIF) expressed support and optimism with the latest proposal released by Assembly Speaker Núñez and Senator Pro Tem Perata yesterday in Sacramento. “With this latest health care proposal, Latino Issues Forum is very encouraged that real reform will be achieved this year,” stated Nora Vargas, Executive Director of Latino Issues Forum. “We are still reviewing the details but so far we see promise in the new proposal.”

According to Vargas, the Latino community has the least access to health care coverage even though Latinos have high workforce participation rates. “Latinos work hard providing California with economic prowess and productivity but do not have access to basic health care services.” As a result, many Latinos develop chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which are easily preventable through regular access to care.

Based on issues raised in the Governor’s veto message of Assembly Bill 8, passed by the State Legislature but rejected by the Administration, the Democrats revised proposal seeks to bridge differences. The new proposal continues to use an employer “pay or play” model, requiring employers to provide health care benefits or pay into a statewide purchasing pool, but includes a sliding scale for employers’ fees between 2%-6.5% of payroll. Several expansions are made to public programs beyond what was proposed in AB 8 including coverage to families below 300% of the federal poverty level ($51,510 for family of 3) and single childless adults making up to $25,525 a year. The proposal contains affordability measures such as no cost sharing for very low-income families and premiums similar to those in the Healthy Families program. A few new provisions are disconcerting for LIF including a requirement on individuals to maintain health coverage and proposed reductions to the safety net.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 31, 2007

Contact: Sev Williams
(510) 336-9566

SACRAMENTO – As the Governor’s healthcare reform proposal is heard in the state Legislature, hundreds of healthcare consumers on the steps of the Capitol were joined by thousands of consumers from all over California – via an innovative text messaging program to deliver the message that real reform can’t wait, and that we have to get it right.

“The health of millions of Californians hangs in the balance as policymakers continue to work towards health care reform,” said Sarah Mercer, Senior Program Manager of Latino Issues Forum. “Latino Issues Forum remains optimistic that the legislative leadership and Governor’s office will achieve real affordable health care. Unfortunately, as currently proposed, the Governor’s reform plan will not provide the affordable health care that meets the needs of all children and families, especially low-income communities of color who are most exposed without it.”

While elected officials talked healthcare inside the Capitol, Californians around the state e-talked, texting messages to the Governor that were displayed on a giant digital screen outside the Capitol.

“Californians desperately need health reform, but in order to get there, the Governor needs to be able to compromise,” said Anthony Wright, executive director, Health Access California. “Californians need coverage that is affordable to get and affordable to use. The Governor’s proposal requires everybody to get coverage without conditions, yet doesn’t help consumers to meet that requirement. This hearing will spotlight the issues that must be addressed to reach a compromise that consumers and voters can support.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 2007

Contact: Nick DeLuca
(510) 873-8787 x100

Those Needing Real, Affordable Healthcare NEED NOT APPLY

In response to a new analysis of Governor Schwarzenegger’s health plan, Jeanine Meyer Rodriguez, It’s OUR Healthcare, released the following statement.)

“All year, members of our coalition have emphasized that affordability is the key to real healthcare reform; and affordability doesn’t just mean premiums, it means deductibles and co-pays, so we can afford to go to the doctor and get the care we need.

“The governor and his staff said they were listening to Californians, but what they came up with is a tax credit scheme that falls far short of affordability, as a new report from the California Budget Project makes clear.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 17, 2007

Contact: Sev Williams
(510) 336-9566

SACRAMENTO – We need real affordable healthcare and we need it now, not the Governor’s proposal to require insurance that’s neither affordable nor real coverage.

That’s the reality check Californians are delivering, as they begin statewide vigils in front of the Governor’s offices, from Sacramento to San Diego, from the Bay to the Valley.

“We’re right outside the Governor’s offices, to make sure that he can’t help but hear this simple, clear message,” said Anthony Wright, Executive Director, Health Access California. “Millions of us can’t afford to wait another year, two years or ten years for real, affordable healthcare. And the Governor needs to know that he can’t afford to miss this opportunity to pass real reform this year.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2007

Contact: Sev Williams
(510) 336-9566

On Tuesday this week, the Governor said that we have the opportunity to make the most significant progress on healthcare reform in the last 100 years. Today, he vetoed the best chance at taking advantage of that opportunity, AB 8. This isn’t the way to build a legacy.

AB 8 is a substantive, thoughtful, and realistic framework for the most significant healthcare expansion since MediCare was founded in the 1960’s. Unlike the Governor’s plan, AB 8 traveled through a full, deliberative legislative process and grew better as a result, picking up consumer protections, cost control measures, and an affordability standard along the way. It was hard work, but well worth it, and the final version of the bill earned the endorsement of our coalition, representing more than 100 consumer, community, and labor organizations who together have more than 10 million California members.

In other words, the Governor just made history, but not the kind he’s trying to make: he missed an historic opportunity. At every level, the Governor’s plan is not yet “reality-based.” Let’s start with the people most affected – all of us as healthcare consumers: being required to buy insurance, even if we can’t afford it or if we can’t afford to use the skimpy plans we can afford, is not real healthcare.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 10, 2007

Contact: Sev Williams
(510) 336-9566

We are pleased that the Governor wants to do something real to fix our broken health care. In fact, he’s so committed to it that he has linked his legacy to getting healthcare reform done this year. He says that he wants it to be big and not incremental. That’s good, and his intentions are good. But he hasn’t found a way to do that yet.

After 10 months with concepts floating around and no real bill language, the Governor came out today with some incremental changes to his original plan, a plan that is not likely to pass through the legislature and is not likely to sell with a majority of voters.

He talks about universal healthcare, but what he proposes is a mandate that requires everyone to buy insurance even if they can’t afford the premiums. He says that people can buy cheap insurance, but that insurance will provide fake coverage: plans with such high deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses that people can’t afford to use them.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 6, 2007

Contact: Sev Williams
(510) 336-9566

Protests & lobby visits coincide with launch of online video taking aim at Blue Cross’ efforts to undermine healthcare reform in California with a massive scare-letter and advertising campaign

(SACRAMENTO) – On the heels of an escalation of activity on the part of Blue Cross to mobilize against healthcare reform, consumer groups, seniors, and labor groups making up the 10 million-member strong It’s OUR Healthcare! (IOH) coalition launched an online video today to jab back at the health insurance giant.

The groups plan to circulate the video to hundreds of thousands of their members to get across the message that opponents to reform benefit from a system that hurts Californians. IOH members say legislators and other decision-makers need to hear that Californians are calling on them for meaningful healthcare reform this year, and calling on elected officials not to side with Blue Cross and other defenders of a broken and destructive status quo.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 22, 2007

Contact: Nick DeLuca
(415) 694-1941

(In response to today’s Field Poll on health care, Jeanine Meyer Rodriguez, SEIU Campaign Director, released the following statement from the It’s OUR Healthcare! coalition.)

“Today’s Field Poll about healthcare reform – that barely six months ago, more than half of Californians were satisfied, and today more than two thirds are dissatisfied -- may have surprised pollsters, but for the members of the It’s Our Healthcare Coalition, this isn’t big news.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2007

Contact: Nick DeLuca
(415) 694-1941

SACRAMENTO – It’s OUR Healthcare!, a diverse, nonpartisan statewide coalition representing over 10 million Californians – more than one quarter of the state’s population – today sent a message to the Legislature and Governor that the people of California need affordable health care and we can’t afford to wait any longer.

The coalition unveiled two 30-second television ads that will hit the airwaves today sending the message that talk is cheap, healthcare isn’t and that it’s not real healthcare unless we can afford to use it. The first ad, which can be viewed at www.itsourhealthcare.org, features three California families addressing the need for affordable healthcare:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2007

Contact: Severn Williams

SACRAMENTO – It’s time for affordable healthcare, so don’t come home without health care reform.

That’s the message members of It’s OUR Healthcare (IOH) , a coalition representing 10 million Californians, more than either political party, will be carrying from San Diego to San Francisco, from Salinas to Bakersfield, as IOH launches a week of statewide action before legislators return to work next week.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2007

Contact: Nick DeLuca
(415) 694-1941
Anthony Wright (916) 870-4782

LOS ANGELES – At a public hearing today, California healthcare providers and consumers testified about the way Blue Cross of California’s business practices have hurt individuals and damaged our healthcare system.

Before the hearing, advocates and concerned Californians protested Blue Cross’ efforts to undermine healthcare reform in California by investing at least $2 million in an ad campaign to make people afraid of reform.

“This hearing showed the need for more aggressive oversight over Blue Cross and other insurers, from not just regulators but legislators,” said Anthony Wright, Executive Director of Health Access California. “Blue Cross’ motives in opposing health care reforms became clearer, as they seem to disproportionately profit from the status quo.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 25, 2007

Contact: Nick DeLuca
(510) 877-8383 x100

Well, ask a doc that question today, and the answer would be profits – Blue Cross’ profits. Here’s how the Wall Street Journal reported it on Wednesday: “WellPoint, one of the nation's largest health insurers, said second-quarter net income rose to $835.2 million, or $1.35 a share, from $751.2 million, or $1.17 a share, a year earlier. The Indianapolis company said revenue increased 7.7% to $15.26 billion from $14.17 billion a year ago.”

And somewhere back in Indiana (where WellPoint is based), they’re giving a shout out to California for helping to make it all possible. (That’d be the $950 million in our healthcare dollars, that Blue Cross sent back earlier this year.)

What’s down – is the state of children’s health in California.