Tomorrow is the big day for SB 810 Single Payer bill sponsored by Senator Mark Lenoin the California Senate.
The "reconsideration vote" by the whole State Senate will take place the last day of the month. This is the last day it can take place.
Last week an inconclusive vote went 19 to 18 with 2 Democratic Senators voting with every one of the 16 Republican Senators and 4 Dem Senators abstaining.
We need 2 of these abstaining Senators to vote Aye tomorrow so we get 21 votes.
JPMassar and I have been urging you to call the abstaining Senators.
Two things can happen tomorrow and we have a plan in either case.
More below.
#1
Two of these 4 abstaining Senators decide to vote Aye;
Senator Alex Padilla (Pacoima/LA area)
Email: Senator.Padilla@sen.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 651-4020
Fax: (916) 324-6645
Senator Juan Vargas (San Diego area)
Email: Juan.Vargas@sen.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 651-4040
Fax: (916) 327-3522
Senator Michael Rubio (Fresno/Bakersfield area)
Email: Michael.Rubio@sen.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 651-4016
Fax: (916) 327-5989
Senator Rod Wright (Los Angeles area)
Email: Senator.Wright@sen.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 651-4025
Fax: (916) 445-3712
We will then focus on conducting a new economic impact study in time for the Assembly vote later on this year. We are pretty sure that when SB 810 gets to Governor Jerry Brown's desk he will sign it. Schwarzenegger vetoed it twice.
The study will be funded through California OneCare, perhaps together with other Single Payer organizations like PNHP or HCA, and it will prove again whet the 2002 Lewin reportsaid, Single Payer will benefit the California Economy, insure everyone and cost everyone less.
The Lewin report has been neutralized because United Health bought them out.
The fact that we don't have an authoritative study about the economic impact of Single Payer is the excuse given by most hesitant Democratic Assemblymen.
More about the new study after tomorrow.
#2
We do not get 2 abstaining Democratic Senators to vote Aye.
So this is what I will do and I hope many California Kossacks will join.
We will target those Democratic Senators who vote No or abstain.
We will focus our attention on their seats.
We will get alternative candidates and actively support their campaigns.
We need better Democrats in Sacramento. Democrats who understand that SB 810 a) does not go against Obama's ACA, it takes its underlying issues to the logical conclusion by providing "Medicare for all" b) It is great for the economy c) It gives access to healthcare to all.
This last point is specially important to Latinos who in California represent almost 50% of the uninsured. How is it possible that Latino Democratic Senators do not support SB 810? Padilla, Vargas and Rubio abstained and two other Latino Senators voted Nay;
Senator Ron Calderon
Phone: (916) 651-4030
senator.calderon@sen.ca.gov
Senator Lou Correa
Phone: (916) 651-4034
senator.correa@sen.ca.gov
These last two should be replaced by better Democrats in any case.
How is it possible? As a Latino myself I wonder. But I will act too.
So call if you can. Heck! Call tomorrow too. Fax and email.
We can do it.