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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, October 10, 2005
For Media Assistance
Vetoes Leave Nearly 1 Million
CA Children Without Health Insurance
"First of all, I think it is important
that we take care of our children. And we have to make sure
that every child in California is insured; that is the most
important thing." -- Gubernatorial Candidate Arnold
Schwarzenegger, Statement from 9/24/03 debate.
SACRAMENTO, Calif.--The PICO California Project
and the 100% Campaign reacted today to Governor Schwarzenegger's
veto of two key health care bills, AB 772 (Chan/Frommer/Escutia)
and AB 1199 (Frommer/Chan). The bills would have established
health coverage for every child in California.
"It was within our reach to make sure
that every child in California has access to affordable health
care," said Ted Lempert, President of Children Now and
spokesperson for the 100% Campaign, a collaboration of Children
Now, Children's Defense Fund and The Children's Partnership.
"We are disappointed in the governor's decision to veto
these two bills that together would have created health insurance
for every child in California."
"The Governor again expressed support
for our proposal, in concept, in his veto message," Lempert
added. "Unfortunately he also believes that California
cannot afford to insure all kids this year. We disagree with
the governor. First and foremost, AB 772 and AB 1199 were
practical and fiscally sound. The legislation envisioned
a system of shared responsibility for financing among federal
and state governments, parents, and employers. Moreover,
it proscribed a prudent, phased-in timetable consistent with
responsible management, yielding only very modest start-up
costs in the first year. Ultimately, the legislation represented
a long-term investment in our children's health that would
have paid dividends in California communities now and for
generations to come."
"For not a lot of money, we could have
reached a monumental goal," said Rebecca Stark of the
PICO California Project. The legislation extended health insurance
to more California children, and also simplified the current
child health insurance system by reducing barriers to getting
and keeping health insurance. "We currently waste tens
of millions of dollars re-enrolling eligible children. Removing
bureaucratic obstacles can generate significant state savings,
which we could invest in children's coverage," according
to Stark.
More than 100 organizations as diverse as
businesses, faith-based organizations, health care providers,
educators, and community based organizations, supported AB
772 and AB 1199. Small Business California, an association
of small businesses, supported the legislation. "Healthier
kids mean a stronger economy and a more productive workforce,"
said Scott Hauge of Small Business California. "With
the rising cost of premiums hurting everyone, the small business
community strongly supports innovative efforts to insure more
children and make health care more affordable," said
Hauge.
PICO and the 100% Campaign vowed to pursue
their goal of insuring all of California's children. "An
overwhelming majority of Californians support covering all
children with health insurance. The Legislature wants it to
happen. Doctors, teachers and parents want it to happen. Having
built such momentum, in 2006, we will sponsor very similar
legislation in the form of Senate Bill 437, authored by Senator
Escutia," said Stark. SB 437 was introduced earlier this
year and currently awaits action on the Assembly Floor. "We
look forward to continued discussions with the governor and
his administration, so that we can reach the shared goal
of covering all kids."
Key provisions of AB 772 include:
- Provides health insurance options for every uninsured
child in California
- Makes it easier for families to enroll and keep their
children covered
- Builds on the successes of local Children's Health Initiatives
(CHI's)
- Creates a system of shared responsibility for financing
- Phases in the program on a timetable consistent with responsible
management and available resources
AB 1199 (Frommer/Chan) would have created
the California Healthy Kids Fund as a repository for public
funds and private contributions that would supplement existing
state and federal funds earmarked for children's health care.
The 100% Campaign, a collaborative
effort of Children Now, Children's Defense Fund
and The Children's Partnership, with primary funding
from The California Endowment, was created to ensure
that all of California's children obtain the health
coverage they need to grow up strong and healthy.
The PICO California Project
is the united effort of 20 California congregation-community
organizations affiliated with the PICO National
Network. Collectively, we represent 350 congregations
and 400,000 families statewide and are actively
organizing in over 70 cities in Northern and
Southern California.
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