Single-payer Health Care, Funding Bills Advance
A CTA-cosponsored measure that would expand health care protections to all Californians and a companion measure spelling out the funding mechanism have advanced in the state legislature.
SB 840, the CTA-cosponsored measure by Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) that would establish a single-payer health care system covering all Californians, has gained the approval of the Senate Health Committee and the preliminary okay of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
SB 1014, the CTA-supported bill by Sen. Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) that prescribes how to fund the costs of the plan, is awaiting further action in the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee. The measure establishes the mechanism to fund any costs for the SB 840 program that are not covered by programmatic savings. SB 1014 would provide the needed funding by levying a tax on some of California’s wealthiest residents and by imposing fees on employers and workers in lieu of their current health payments.
Both measures are expected to stay in their respective fiscal committees until later this spring, when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and lawmakers will see updated forecasts of state revenues.
Having cleared their first policy committee prior to the April 27 deadline, both measures are expected to see further consideration prior to a June deadline for moving bills to the floor of the Senate.
At this point in the legislative session, many bills that have fiscal implications are moved into “suspense” or “hold” files in fiscal committees. Later in the year, when lawmakers have a better sense of the state’s economic footing, they will prioritize the measures before them, sending the most important ones to the floor for further action.
• CTA Members: Get in touch with members of Senate Appropriations Committee in support of SB 840 (Kuehl) and the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee in support of SB 1014. Ask members of these committees to urge the senators to sign on as co-authors of both measures.
Members of Senate Revenue and Taxation include:
Senator Jenny Oropeza (Chair); Senator Dave Cogdill (Vice Chair); Senator Elaine Alquist; Senator Tom Harman; Senator Michael Machado; Senator George Runner; Senator Jack Scott; and Senator Patricia Wiggins.
Members of Senate Appropriations include:
Senator Tom Torlakson (Chair); Senator Dave Cox (Vice Chair); Senator Samuel Aanestad; Senator Roy Ashburn; Senator Jim Battin; Senator Ron Calderon; Senator Gilbert Cedillo; Senator Ellen Corbett; Senator Lou Correa; Senator Robert Dutton; Senator Dean Florez; Senator Sheila Kuehl; Senator Jenny Oropeza; Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas; Senator George Runner; Senator Mark Wyland; and Senator Leland Yee.