Select Committee on Health Care Delivery Systems and Universal Coverage Announces First Hearing in Series
JOINT PRESS RELEASE:
Assemblymembers Jim Wood and Joaquin Arambula
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 5, 2017 CONTACT: Cathy Mudge 916.319.2002
SACRAMENTO—Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) and Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) announce the first in a series of hearings of the Select Committee on Health Care Delivery Systems and Universal Coverage to begin later this month, October 23-24 at the State Capitol.
“This committee is charged with identifying a pathway to healthcare for almost 40 million Californians; a pathway that we can propose to the full Legislature,” said Wood, who is a dentist. “I will do my best to identify those solutions that are comprehensive and sustainable, and that will ultimately provide affordable healthcare for all Californians.”
“As a doctor, I saw the challenges many Californians have in accessing good medical care,” said Arambula. “When I decided to run for office, I was convinced we could improve our state’s healthcare system and believe that California can and must do better for its residents. The committee is committed to finding workable solutions that will expand health care coverage and increase access to care and these hearings will help us better understand the complexities of our health care system.”
The first two days of hearings will bring in experts to provide an overview of California’s current health care system, including details on:
Who is and is not currently covered (Day 1)
Current coverage systems, including public programs, safety net providers and employer based and individual market coverage (Day 1)
How current systems are financed (Day 1)
Versions of universal health coverage around the globe (Day 2)
An opportunity for public comment will be provided at the hearing on the second day.
Future hearings, planned for later this year and early next year, will look at topics that include:
Health care systems within U.S. cities and states, both proposed and in operation, and the challenges they have faced in achieving health care for all
Input from stakeholders on proposed universal coverage systems, including but not limited to ACA expansion, single payer and hybrid systems
Identified challenges to achieving health care for all in California and what must be done to address them
The select committee was created in March by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, with Wood and Arambula as co-chairs. Other committee members appointed include Assembly members Autumn Burke (D-Inglewood), David Chiu (D-San Francisco), Laura Friedman (D-Glendale), Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale) and Marie Waldron (R-Escondido).
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EDP General Meeting, Sunday, October 8, 3 p.m.
El Dorado County Fairgrounds (map)
The Organ Room
We have a lot to discuss at our next meeting, and several guests who will speak. Come early for refreshments and chatting, and to sign petitions and the like.
Guests:
Jamie Buetler from Sierra Forward, on voter registration
David Albee, on single payer healthcare
Fatima Garcia, organizer and activist, on the Driscoll’s Berry boycott
Workers Solidarity Network Workgroup
We are still collecting signatures and will have petitions for people to sign at the October meeting in support of the Driscoll Berries Boycott. We are planning on presenting our petitions to a local grocery the week following our October meeting, with a written request that they not stock Driscoll's Berries.
Members of the Workgroup attended the Diversity Training that Mike Munoz presented, and had a great discussion afterwards. We are also sharing information and support on regional and local grievances and possible informational pickets that members are involved in, as well as the threat of federal legislation on Right to Work.
Community Town Hall on healthcare--all are invited
The public is invited to a Community Town Hall on current and future healthcare in California.
Attendees will find out how the Affordable Care Act (also called Obamacare or the ACA) changed healthcare options for Californians and what challenges are ahead for getting all Californians the healthcare coverage they can afford. The speakers will explain what options are possible and will explore what single payer would mean for California. A question-and-answer period will follow the presentations.
Speakers:
Henry Abrons MD, retired pulmonologist and critical care physician; Physicians for a National Health Program
Jen Flory, Esq., lawyer and lobbyist; Western Center on Law & Poverty; specialist in the Affordable Care Act and Covered California
Refreshments will be available. Donations welcomed.
4561 Greenstone Road
Placerville, CA 95667
ALMOST over the finish line--tell Gov. Brown sign AB249
Money Out of Politics workgroup
AB249 – ALMOST over the finish line! AB249 has finally passed both the Senate and Assembly with bi-partisan support. It is awaiting Governor Brown’s signature to go into effect in time for the 2018 elections.
Unfortunately, his support is no sure thing; he has vetoed at least three campaign finance bills in the past. With an Oct 15 deadline, Friday, Oct 13 will be the last day to encourage him to sign.
So, the push is still on to show grassroots support for AB249 so that Governor Brown feels the pressure. Citizens standing up and taking action is the ONLY reason the bill has made it this far. Big Money has tried hard to derail this bill and keep the status quo.
What Progressives can do:
1. Call Brown’s office, ask him to sign AB249. Toll free number, 877-257-9661. No message machine, so call between 9-5, M-F and talk to staff to leave your message. Keep trying until you get through (and you can call more than once).
2. Make an official comment on Gov. Brown’s webform. Here’s how to do it; there are several steps to follow.
3. Sign the petition to Gov. Brown (sign this version, even if you have signed other petition versions in the past.)
4. Ask your spouse, friend, neighbor to call, comment, and sign petition too. Every call, signature, and comment helps!
Here is just one of many good articles in the press about AB249:
California bill takes aim at dark money in politics — will Jerry Brown sign it?
San Jose Mercury News, 10/1/2017
Our November meeting is a celebration!
Where were you on November 9, 2016? It’s one of those days that will forever live in all of our memories. It is also the birthday of El Dorado Progressives!
On November 9, 2016, the day after the election, most of us were feeling confused, anxious, apprehensive, powerless, and maybe even isolated. Then we found each other, and we found our voice and our power. Well, it’s been a year so our next meeting, on Nov. 12, is a party: EDP First Anniversary Celebration Potluck Fundraiser.
We have much to celebrate on our journey. Bring your favorite potluck dish, and your memories of the past year to share! If you have pictures or video of events that EDP has been involved in, please upload them here, or send by email to eldoradoprogressives@gmail.com by October 20th, so that we can put them into our slide show in time for the Potluck. Bring your favorite stories of shared activities. Bring some new friends, too! We are offering tickets through Eventbrite for this fundraising event.
SPACE IS LIMITED TO THE FIRST 180 RESPONDENTS, SO PLEASE GET A TICKET BY CLICKING THE EVENTBRITE LINK.
This is a potluck, so you will need to bring a dish to share. EDP will provide non-alchoholic beverages. ALSO, IF YOU CAN, PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN PLATE, GLASS, AND CUTLERY--WE ARE TRYING TO MINIMIZE THE USE OF DISPOSABLE ITEMS TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT!
Potluck arrangements
If your last name begins with:
A – E Bring appetizers (cheese, crackers, hummus, meatballs, etc.)
F – L Bring salads (any kind—veggie, fruit, jello, pasta, etc.)
M – O Bring a “main course” (casserole, vegetarian, or meat-based)
P – S Bring a dessert
T – Z Bring bread or a starchy side dish based on grains, rice, potatoes, or noodles.
Dishes should serve four to six people. Please put your name on the bottom of your dish. Paper plates, cups, napkins and eating utensils will be provided along with coffee and tea.
Thank you for being an El Dorado Progressive. Though times are dark, we need to celebrate the light!
Sunday, November 12, 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.