HEALTH ACCESS
Thursday, September 18th, 2003
ACTION ALERT: URGE GOVERNOR DAVIS TO SIGN SB 2 (BURTON)
SB 2 (Burton) would extend coverage to up to a million uninsured California
workers, and provide security to millions more working families that get
health coverage through their employer, but are scared about losing it.
While it has passed the California Legislature, Governor Davis has not yet
indicated whether he will sign or veto the measure.
This bill builds upon the current system, by which 18 million Californians
get health coverage through their employer. Small businesses are exempt.
Larger employers of 50 or more workers would pay a fee into a state
purchasing pool to provide health coverage to their workers; they would have
the fee waived if–as over 90% of such employers do–they already provide
health care to their workers. The bill would also create the framework for
additional reforms and expansions in health coverage.
ACTION: Send a letter to Governor Davis ASAP, to urge him to seize this
opportunity to provide relief to the uninsured who now live sicker, die
younger, and are one emergency away from financial ruin; and fairness to the
businesses who currently provide health care to their workers, but have to
compete against those that don’t. Contact him at:
The Honorable Gray Davis
Governor of California
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
FAX: 916/445-4633
Offices: Phone: Fax:
Sacramento: (916)445-2841 (916)445-4633
San Diego: (619)525-4641 (619)525-4640
Los Angeles: (213)897-0322 (213)897-0319
Riverside: (909)680-6860 (909)680-6863
Fresno: (559)445-5295 (559)445-5328
San Francisco: (415)703-2218 (415)703-2803
ATTACHED is a sample letter on SB 2. Please feel free to modify or write
your own in support of this important measure.
Also ATTACHED, for your background, is a three-page set of responses to
common questions regarding SB 2. Additional materials are forthcoming.
—
Anthony E. Wright
Executive Director
Health Access
1127 11th St., #234, Sacramento, CA 95814
Ph: 916-442-2308, Fx: 916-497-0921
awright@health-access.org