SF - Supervisors Show Support For State Universal Health Care Measure

By Staff Writer
KCBS
March 18, 2009

San Francisco supervisors today expressed support for recently introduced state legislation to set up a single-payer universal health care system in California.

"Health care, more than anything is not a privilege, it's a right, an entitlement, that all people should have," said Supervisor John Avalos before a rally outside City Hall.

Avalos has introduced a resolution, co-sponsored by five other supervisors, in support of SB 810, the California Universal Health Care Act.

The act, introduced by state Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, would create a public health insurance trust fund, paid into by employers and employees and existing public money, according to Leno's office. It mirrors legislation introduced in 2007, which passed the Legislature but was vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Supporters say SB 810, by eliminating profit-driven health insurance companies, would save the state billions that would then be used to insure an estimated 7 million Californians who do not have health insurance. They also claim health insurance costs to both employers and employees would be lowered.

"Our healthcare system is sick and ill because of the greed of the insurance companies," Supervisor Eric Mar said at today's rally.

The measure has drawn support from the California Nurses Association and some senior groups.

Hene Kelly, of the California Association of Retired Americans, told the gathering that some people are losing their homes because they have not been able to keep up with their healthcare costs.

"It's not just a piece of legislation," Kelly said, "It is a movement that is a long time coming."

"The fight continues, and it's only a matter of time before we're going to have single-payer in California, and across the nation as well," said Avalos.

San Francisco supervisors were expected to pass the resolution supporting SB 810 late this afternoon.