************************************************************************ GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER VETOES CHILDREN'S HEALTH BILLS!! ************************************************************************ http://www.100percentcampaign.org 1. GOVERNOR VEOTES AB 772/AB 1199 2. POST VETO PRESS CONFERENCES 3. Resources for Action 4. How to Subscribe or Unsubscribe * Permission to forward or reprint the content herein is granted with complete attribution. View back issues of this e-update on the Web at: http://www.100percentcampaign.org/take-action/ud-index.htm ************************************************************************ Dear children's health supporters, As you know, AB 772 (Chan) and AB 1199 (Frommer) - which together would have provided health coverage for all children in California - passed out of the Legislature in early September and, for the last month, have been awaiting Governor Schwarzenegger’s signature. On the evening of Friday, October 7th, he vetoed both bills. Your continued support made all the difference in advancing these important pieces of legislation. We thank you for bringing the Californians for Healthy Kids effort this far. With your continued support, we stand committed to achieving our goal of securing health coverage for all California children. ************************************************************************ 1. GOVERNOR VETOES CHILDREN'S HEALTH LEGISLATION!! The Governor’s decision to veto AB 772 (Chan) and AB 1199 (Frommer), bills that would have insured every child in California, is very disappointing. As a result of the Governor’s vetoes, an estimated 800,000 children in this state will remain uninsured, and thus, continue to lack access to vital medical attention and preventative health services. Insuring all children in California is well within our reach, and the time to provide coverage to all children is now. Please visit http://www.governor.ca.gov/govsite/pdf/vetoes_2005/AB_772_veto.pdf (AB772) and http://www.governor.ca.gov/govsite/pdf/vetoes_2005/AB_1199_veto.pdf (AB 1199) to read the Governor’s veto messages. This legislation and its goals garnered support from over 250 organizations ranging from business, religious leaders, teachers, health plans, children's advocates, and health care providers. The clear need and urgency of a statewide plan to ensure every child in California has access to health insurance is evident by recent poll results showing 78% of voters in support of this goal. As you know, this legislation took a very reasonable and fiscally responsible approach to covering all California children. The legislation would benefit all Californians, as healthier kids make better students, and ultimately more productive adults. The Governor delivered multiple public statements highlighting and re-enforcing his commitment to cover all kids. We are disappointed he did not fulfill his commitment this year, but, with your support, we will continue to hold him accountable to California’s children. What next? The 100% Campaign and PICO California are committed to health coverage for all California children. Among other efforts, in 2006 we will sponsor similar legislation in the form of Senate Bill 437, authored by Senator Escutia. SB 437 was introduced this year and currently awaits action on the Assembly Floor. We look forward to continued discussions with the Governor and his administration, and are confident that we will be able to address his concerns and form a partnership that will lead to covering all kids. Thank you for your support and unwavering allegiance to ensure all California children have access to health insurance and an improved quality of life. We will keep you up to date as we continue to pursue our goals. ************************************************************************ 2. Post Veto Press Conferences LOS ANGELES- Eisner Pediatric and Family Medical Center (1530 South Olive Street, Los Angeles), 10 am. Speakers include: Assemblywoman Wilma Chan; Assemblyman Dario Frommer, Sister Karen Collier, LA Voice; St. Agatha's Church, Pico; Dr. Robert Vinetz, QueensCare Family Clinics; Beth Osthimer, Children's Defense Fund; Jenny Kattlove, The Children's Partnership. For more information please contact the lead organizer: Jenny Kattlove, TCP (310/270-7167). SACRAMENTO- State Capitol, 10th Street Sidewalk, across from Fountain. Speakers: Pastor Charles Warner, Christ Temple Apostolic Church; Rebecca Stark, PICO; Andrea Margolis, Children Now. For more information please contact: Andrea Margolis, CN (916-215-3529). ************************************************************************ 3. Resources for Action * Please visit our websites to learn more about this effort at: www.100percentcampaign.org and www.picocalifornia.org * Join a growing list of Californians for Healthy Kids supporters by signing on to our goals: http://www.100percentcampaign.org/priorities/healthy-kids-signup.htm (ENGLISH) http://www.100percentcampaign.org/priorities/healthy-kids-signup-spanish .htm (SPANISH) * Please call Governor Schwarzenegger to voice your disappointment and call the bill authors to thank them for their continued support: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger State Capitol Building Sacramento, CA 95814 916-445-2841 Assemblywoman Wilma Chan State Capitol Building, Room 6005 Sacramento, CA 95814 916-319-2016 Assemblyman Dario Frommer State Capitol Building, Room 319 Sacramento, CA 95814 916-319-2043 Senator Martha Escutia State Capitol Building, Room 5080 Sacramento, CA 95814 916-445-3090 *For the most recent bill outline please visit: http://www.100percentcampaign.org/resources/publications/fs-healthy-fami lies-050908.htm * Bill information, including records of votes, is available at: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov Click on "Bill Information" and Type in the bill number. * Locate your legislators: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html ************************************************************************ 4. How to Subscribe or Unsubscribe Send an email to info@100percentcampaign.org and include one of the following messages in the BODY of the email: SUBSCRIBE UNSUBSCRIBE