SUPPORT – SB 840 (Kuehl), The California Universal Healthcare Act

26 March 2007

The Honorable Sheila Kuehl
Senate Health Committee Chair
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: SUPPORT – SB 840 (Kuehl), The California Universal Healthcare Act

Dear Senator Kuehl,

CALPIRG is pleased to inform you of our strong support for SB 840. By establishing universal health insurance coverage in California, SB 840 would create a more efficient healthcare delivery system while better serving the health needs of all Californians.

According to the Lewin Group’s 2004 study on the costs of a single-payer system in California, systemic changes like those included in SB 840 not only would provide complete care for Californians, but also would save taxpayer dollars and slow the growth of healthcare costs in the state. The report estimates $8 billion of savings in the first year alone.

For the nearly seven million Californians currently lacking insurance and the millions more struggling to afford it, reliability of coverage would have serious and lasting impacts. While an obvious asset in times of emergency, reliable health coverage is also essential in times of good health. Regular access to preventive care is one of the most effective tools for both improving health outcomes in the short term and for lowering overall costs in the long term. Reliable and affordable access to care increases utilization of preventive services, thus improving health and forestalling a significant portion of emergency care.

As a consumer group, we’re particularly pleased with the mandate within SB 840 to create an Office of Patient Advocacy within the new California Universal Healthcare Agency. This attention to the concerns of patients is a critical component of any substantive reform to the healthcare system.

We strongly support this groundbreaking legislation and urge all the members of the legislature to join you in protecting the health of California consumers by supporting SB 840.

Sincerely,


Steve Blackledge
Legislative Director