Campaign Update
Thursday, September 7, 2006

Inside This Issue:

1. SB 437 Update

Thank you for doing your part in getting SB 437 passed by the Legislature and sent to the Governor on August 31. The bill has just one last step in the legislative process, and your continued support is much appreciated.

Please ask the Governor to sign SB 437 (Escutia) to improve public health insurance program enrollment and retention for eligible kids.

We'd like to thank SB 437's lead author, Senator Martha Escutia--and her committed staff members Suzanne Wierbinski and Wendy Umino--for continued leadership on children's health coverage. We are also grateful for the assistance and input of Assembly Health Chair Wilma Chan, Assembly Health Chief
Consultant Teri Boughton & Consultant Melanie Moreno, Assembly Budge Chair John Laird, Assembly Budget Consultant Michael Dimmitt, Assemblymember Dario Frommer & Policy Director Debbie Roth, Senate Budget Chair Wesley Chesbro, Senate Budget Consultant Diane Van Maren, Senate Health Chair Deborah Ortiz, Senate Health Consultant Roger Dunstan, Speaker Fabian Nez, Special Assistant to the Speaker Sumi Sousa, Senate President pro Tem Don Perata & Consultant David Panush, Senate Office of Research Principal Consultant Agnes Lee, Deputy Legislative Secretary to the Governor Kacy
Hutchison, Secretary of Health & Human Services Kimberly Belsh, Health & Human Services Deputy Secretary Ana Matosantos, Director of Medical Care Services Stan Rosenstein, Assistant Deputy Director for Medical Care Services Toby Douglas, and Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board Executive Director Lesley Cummings.

As always, thank you for your work in ensuring that more children have access to affordable, comprehensive health coverage! Please call Alani Cridge Navarro at 916-443-1869 if you need information or assistance.

For additional information, please visit:

• A sample letter to the Governor to facilitate your support is posted at http://www.100percentcampaign.org/newsroom/releases/2006/pr-060610.htm
• The latest "Yes on Prop 86" newsletter is available online at
  http://www.100percentcampaign.org/assets/pdf/e-alert-content/yesprop86-
  newsletter-060905.pdf. This newsletter lists new endorsements such as the California Latino Caucus, Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, The Interfaith Council, and many others. In addition, the newsletter mentions a recent Massachusetts Department of Public Health report finding that, over a six-year period, tobacco companies have significantly increased nicotine levels in cigarettes. Once again, Big Tobacco opponents of Prop 86 have shown how far they will go to keep people addicted to smoking.

The 100% Campaign, a collaborative effort of Children Now, Children's Defense Fund and The Children's Partnership, was created to ensure that all of California's children obtain the health insurance they need to grow up strong and healthy.
www.100percentcampaign.org

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.
www.picocalifornia.org