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