Last Weekend to Register to Vote!

HEALTH ACCESS CALIFORNIA ALERT:

Friday, October 19, 2012
 
ONE LAST WEEKEND TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN CA;
ELECTION WILL HAVE FAR-REACHING IMPACTS ON HEALTH CARE

HEALTH ACCESS RECOMMENDS:

  • YES ON 30: SUPPORT REVENUES TO PREVENT DEVASTATING BUDGET CUTS
  • NO ON 31, NO TO GIVING GOVERNOR UNILATERAL ABILITY TO MAKE CUTS
  • NO ON 32, NO TO SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS FOR CORPORATE POLITICAL ACTIVITY


SAVE-THE-DATE: DECEMBER 4th POST-ELECTION SYMPOSIUM IN SACRAMENTO TO MARK HEALTH ACCESS’ 25th ANNIVERSARY

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There is a great deal at stake this election. Up and down the ballot, key decisions that will impact the health care system will be made on November 6.



Nationally, this may be the most consequential election regarding the future of health care in American history, with starkly different proposals and ideas between the Presidential candidates, and the Congressional candidates of their respective political parties, on the future of Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act.

Here in California, our state budget and the state’s ability to fund health and human services now and in the future could rely on the passage of key ballot measures. YOU, the voter, have the power to influence these decisions.


BUT YOU CAN ONLY VOTE IN NOVEMBER IF YOU ARE REGISTERED!



California’s voter registration deadline for the November 6 election is Monday October 22.



Californians can now register to vote online!

Visit http://registertovote.ca.gov/ to complete your voter registration.

Remember, if you have moved recently, you need to re-register at your new address, and you must register by this Monday, October 22 in order to vote in November.

For those voting by mail early, or considering how to vote on key ballot measures, Health Access California recommends the following positions on state ballot initiatives:



YES ON PROPOSITION 30: Proposition 30 raises revenues to prevent further cuts to education and other vital services. Prop 30 asks the wealthiest Californians to pay their fair share, temporarily increasing the personal income tax for the top 3% of income earners in California – individuals who earn over $250,000 per year. Prop 30 also increases the sales tax rate by ¼ cent for four years, bringing it to a rate lower than it was just last year. The estimated revenues of $6.8 to $9 billion dollars a year will go to K-12 education and colleges, as well as to guarantee public safety funding–helping ensure health programs are not cut in order to fund schools and police. YES on 30.

NO ON PROPOSITION 31: Prop 31, a complex mish-mash of changes to the state constitution, would give the Governor unilateral ability to make cuts, in many instances, without public hearing or legislative review. Prop 31 also would limit the state’s ability to invest in our health and well-being, even when the state hada the money. Yet another provision would allow local governments to disregard state laws on health, labor, and environmental standards. California government needs reform, but Prop 31 would make a bad budget process worse–less transparent, less accountable, and less flexible to meet the state’s future needs. NO on 31.

NO ON PROPOSITION 32: Proposition 32 would give big companies and SuperPACs a bigger ability to influence elections. As advocates for consumers, patients and workers already find themselves at a disadvantage against those that represent insurers, drug companies, and other parts of the health industry, Prop 32 would further tip the balance of power in Sacramento. Prop 32 would place restriction on labor unions while providing special exemptions for corporations, SuperPACs, and millionaires to increase their relative influence and political power. NO on 32.

Again, please remember to register to vote. Already registered? Please share this email with your friends and family.

Health Access California promotes quality, affordable health care for all Californians.