Today, large numbers of California nurses, activists and just plain folks descended on Sacramento to lobby their representatives for SB 562, California Senator Ricardo Lara's legislation to bring single payer universal health care to California.
After the lobbying was done everyone held a rally for SB 562 with Nina Turner as the keynote speaker.
Beginning this evening, the State Democratic Convention is in town, with plenty of newly elected progressives and ready to push for this and other for-the-people legislation. As the rally ended it turned into a march to the convention center: Here it is as they arrive.
The bill will be heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday, May 22nd, at which time a summary of the financial study commissioned by the Coalition for single payer health care in California will be presented. As we understand it now a vote on the bill in the Appropriations Committee will take place on May 25th.
Here is a video excerpt from Nina Turner’s speech and a slightly edited transcript.
[Nelson Mandela] said, "It always seems impossible until it is done." So I want you all..., people who believe in humanity, that it always seems impossible until it is done. And every great movement in this nation, and every great social and civil rights change in this nation, has not come from the grass tops, it's always come from the grass roots. It always seems impossible, until it is done.
So I want to encourage to keep on pushing. Keep on demanding, 'cause you are on the right side of history. And oftentimes when you are in the fight, it doesn't seem like it in the moment, but by the power of an Almighty God, who I believe works through people, we will get this done in the great State of California. California, you will lead the way for the United States of America. It always seems impossible, until it is done.
So I want you, California, to know you have supporters all over this country... Senator Bernie Sanders is really counting on you'all to get this thing done. Not for himself but for everybody.
So, as a mother who birthed a son in this world, and I remember that as if it were yesterday, though it was over 27 years ago - sisters I still got the stretch marks - ... But I remember being in that room, with my husband by my side, a nurse by my side, the doctor by my side, and when the moment came that I was feeling the most pain, the doctor said "PUSH!"
To you California, I want to say to you even though it seems dark, that darkness that you are experiencing, it is not a tomb, it is a womb. I want you to PUSH!
Here are a few quips from other parts of her speech:
"I'm going to tell you something. The nurses are badass."
"We aren't going to keep begging, we are demanding."
"Your abiding concerns are for your relection - not for the general welfare."
"Put up, or get the hell out of the way."
Background diaries:
Single Payer Legislation Has Come to California
The Most Important Legislation You'll Ever Have a Chance to Advocate For.
It's Getting Real: Healthcare 4 All - An Analysis of SB562, CA's Single Payer Healthcare Legislation
Daily Kos (Seems To) Endorse Single Payer, Universal Health Care for California.
BREAKING: California Takes First Step Towards Universal Health Care.
There Is Only One Way Out: California Must Pass Single-Payer Health Care And Make It Work.
If you are in California and want to help:
Representatives to call to ask for support:
Paramount/South LA area
Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon (AD 62): (916) 319-2063
Healdsburg/Santa Rosa area
Assemblymember Jim Wood (AD 2): (916) 319-2002
Napa area
Senator Bill Dodd (SD 3): (916) 651-4003
Sacramento area
Senator Richard Pan (SD 6): (916) 651-4006
Lafayette/Moraga/Orinda area
Senator Steven Glazer (SD7): (916) 651-4007
Modesto/Ceres/Madera area
Senator Anthony Cannella (SD 12): (916) 651-4012
Hanford/Visalia/Fresno area
Senator Andy Vidak (SD 14): (916) 651-4014
Fullerton area
Senator Josh Newman (SD 29): 916.651.4029
Riverside/Inland Empire
Senator Richard Roth (SD 31): (916) 651-4031
San Mateo/SF Peninsula
Senator Jerry Hill SD 13: (916) 651-4013