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San Francisco Chronicle
Letter to the Editor
June 30, 2006
Editor -- In regard to "Bargaining sets stage for
on-time budget'' (June 30): Within a total state budget
of $131 billion, it's a shame that there was a sticking
point worth $23 million.
That seems as if it's a lot of money, but not when you
realize what it would have done.
That money would have supported locally-based Children's
Health Initiatives that have proved successful in bringing
health care to our neediest children. The Bay Area has
a number of these county programs, so we know first hand
that they can work to bring health care to children in
a cost-effective way.
We needed the state to demonstrate support for these
local programs until a statewide solution for children's
health coverage is in place. The vast majority of Californians
(more than 80 percent) support providing health insurance
for all California children, according to recent polls.
Californians will have an opportunity to make this
happen by passing the Tobacco Tax Act of 2006 in the
November election. Because a handful of legislators blocked
the effort to provide funding for these local children's
health programs, the state has left unfinished work on
the table. Fortunately, the Tobacco Tax Act gives voters
the chance to provide access to affordable coverage for
all of California's children.
Ted Lempert
President
Children Now
Oakland
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