Are you ready for healthcare that is affordable, high quality, covers everything and covers everyone? If you live in California (or any of the many states that have single-payer legislation in the works, Vermont* being prominently in the news lately), here is a relatively easy way you can help make this a reality.
Do you know a business owner, for example a locally owned bookshop, restaurant, or bikeshop where you do business? Chances are, they are sympathetic to reducing their healthcare costs regardless of their political stripe, but don't really know a way they can contribute that does not involve money.
But they can endorse your legislation. This is a huge help. I got the place where I work to do it. Check it out below the fold.
Here's a snapshot of the endorsement letter I got for Senate Bill 810 here in California (text reprinted below for your convenience):
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Here's the text of the letter (I draw your attention to the second paragraph):
Dear Senator Leno:
I am writing to express my business’ support for SB 810, the California Universal Healthcare Act, which will cover every Californian with comprehensive health insurance and give them the ability to choose their own physician. This model of health care financing will save money for families, businesses, individuals and local governments.
Although this is truly a non-partisan issue, I feel it necessary to mention that I am a registered Republican. My business supports SB 810 because the single greatest problem facing California’s healthcare system and California’s economy is the growing cost of health insurance. The number of uninsured Californians has now reached 20%. Most of the newly uninsured are from middle-class families. Our business is facing a minimum increase of 8% in our insurance costs – just this year alone.
If spent wisely through the single payer finance system under SB 810, we need no more money than is currently spent on health care.
1.It covers everyone.
2.It’s affordable.
3.It guarantees that the majority of our money goes to actual health care.
4.It provides real choice.
5.It improves the quality of our health care.
Californians want access to this kind of high-quality, affordable health care. Please take a stand in support of real health reform.
My business, which employs 16 workers, strongly supports SB 810.
Sincerely,
Tom Maccianti
General Manager
Bell Everman, Inc.
If you live in California, complete instructions for getting letters of endorsement from a business, an organization, or an individual may be found here (along with a sample letter which may be altered as desired).
I advise you to make it as easy for the signer as possible by eliminating as many steps as possible. Ideally you would present the signer with a copy of the letter, on their letterhead, ready for signature. I personally am seeking endorsements from a wide variety of sources, including the board of trustees of my church (as an organiztion), the reverend of the church (as an individual), and several of my neighbors who have small businesses. It is difficult to get endorsements from entities that are part of a larger corporation (Kinkos, Starbucks, etc), stick to your locally owned businesses.
My local chapter of Health Care for All - California is of course pursuing endorsements from all manner of organizations such as city councils, LWV, Planned Parenthood, county supervisors, ACLU, local unions, Democratic Party and associated clubs, PDA, and so on, the list is endless.
I hope you find this helpful and are encouraged to take steps such as these to make single payer a reality in your state - eventually the nation will follow!
*Vermont has passed legislation (in the house) which, although not single-payer immediately, creates a possible path forward towards single-payer in a roughly four-year timeline should everything go as planned. It is definitely a huge step in the right direction!