SF Supervisors urge support for State Single Payer Health Reform bill

For Immediate Release March 17, 2009
Contact: Don Bechler of Single Payer Now,
415-810-5826, dbechler [at] value.net

San Francisco Supervisors urge support for Senate Bill 810,
Single Payer Healthcare Legislation for California

SF District 11 Supervisor John Avalos has introduced a resolution before the SF Board of Supervisors to show San Francisco’s support for Senate Bill 810, the California Universal Healthcare Act, which was introduced by San Francisco State Senator Mark Leno last week in Sacramento. SF Supervisors Ross Mirkarimi, Eric Mar, and others will express their support for SB 810 today, March 17, 2009 at 12 Noon on the Polk Street steps of San Francisco’s City Hall. A hearing with public comment before the SF Board of Supervisors will follow the press conference this afternoon at 1:30 inside City Hall.

Senator Leno is the author of SB 810, the California Universal Healthcare Act, which was previously numbered SB 840 and authored by termed-out Senator Sheila Kuehl.

SB 840 was passed by both houses of the California legislature in 2006, but Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed it; and his alternative compromise health reform legislation that retained the role of the insurance industry was rejected by the California legislature in 2008.

Press conference speakers include:
Beverly Ng, Senior District Representative for Senator Leno
Supervisor John Avalos, District 11
Supervisor Eric Mar, District 1
Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, District 5
Kelenia Olsen representing Assembly Member Fiona Ma
James Keys, Senior Action Network
Hene Kelly, California Association of Retired Americans
Chris Jackson, San Francisco Labor Council
Martha Kuhl, RN California Nurses Association
Richard Quint, MD, California Physicians Alliance
Ellen Shaffer, PhD MPH, Co-Director, Center for Policy Analysis
Michael Lyon, Gray Panthers
Don Bechler, Chair, Single Payer Now

For more information, contact Don Bechler of Single Payer Now
415-810-5826
dbechler [at] value.net
http://www.singlepayernow.net

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