Last month, Assembly Speaker John Perez (D46) made the decision to prevent SB 810 from going up for a vote. Had he done so, and it passed, SB 810 would have moved through to the Governor’s desk, where Schwarzenegger would have vetoed it, as he has done twice before when an almost identical bill passed through the California Legislature under former State Senator Sheila Kuehl. However this time, the political “will” just wasn’t there.
So what now, you ask? The author, Senator Mark Leno has agreed to re-introduce the bill next year and we as single payer activists need to get out there and continue doing what we’ve been doing all along: winning the hearts and minds of our fellow citizens in favor of a Single Payer system.
Yes, it is a huge victory that we have passed the legislation twice before. Yes, SB 810 being shut down this time was a huge disappointment. However, it is quite clear that relying on Sacramento to just do the right thing as far as Single Payer is concerned is not an option. We have to create a climate where the political “will” is there, and voting against it would be unthinkable.
If anything, this serves as a wake up call that our work is far from done. We need to be more creative and diligent about exploring new avenues of winning support for single payer. Our movement is not just about supporting something, it’s about action and inspiring others to take action. I’m motivated and energized to go and talk to other people about single payer at a farmers market– or encourage people to write their legislator or give a talk to a local Kiwanis club — because I know these efforts are going to make a difference. It is precisely these kinds of grass-root actions that are going to make single payer a reality in our state; opening up a space for one-on-one dialogue, listening to what people have to say and addressing concerns in a clear, informed and honest way.
Now is not the time to lose steam, get disillusioned, or give up. We are a movement of compassionate, determined and hard working people. Let’s keep fighting, organizing and educating. We’re here for the long haul, and not giving up. We’ll let the opposition do that.
5 responses to “How We’re Acting Upon SB 810”
Right on, Single Payer NOW! I couldn’t agree more with your assessment of the way forward in California, and nationwide.
I never thought health care reform at the Federal Level was possible and with the rightists taking back the house Obama’s reforms will most likely be repealed.
In any event, single-payer is the only sure route to actually getting a grip on costs and providing true universal coverage. And California is THE BEST “proving ground” for this system.
Yeah we have Canada to the north that is working just fine. This PROVES the system works! Canadians haven’t REPEALED their system. Don’t they live in a democracy too? If they HATED thier system Canadians could have repealed it anytime in the DECADES their system has been in place. So the “market” has said people are more than satisfied with Canada’s health care system! Talk to Canadians and they think we’re crazy down here with our system…unless you’re a Canadian doctor thinking they could get rich maybe.
But if California passes this bill as Sarah Palin and the Tea Party repeal Obamacare and privatize Medicare, California could save the nation’s health and financial standing by solving this health care financial hole we will surely see as the Tea Party and the extreme rightist Republican Party shred health care and our NATION to bits once and for all.
Nick, thanks for your comments on our blog! We are going to keep working hard in California — and show the rest of the country we can make single payer happen for all. Keep spreading the word and stay positive. We’re all in this together.
I agree with “Katie R”. She is thinking correctly! California leads the nation. By California proving Universal heath cares works the nation will follow.
G-d Bless America!
Without good health we have nothing. It time that all of us pay our fair share so that all of us have access to healthcare.
I’ve lived and worked in countries that have national healthcare and have used it and know it works.