Hello!

Here's a message with three items of interest for single-payer supporters.

The Unfolding SB-770 Process

for Universal Healthcare in California

Preparation is now underway for eventual talks with federal officials about creating a universal healthcare system in California.

In a public webinar last week, policy experts from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research presented findings on the effects of current healthcare practices on issues such as access, quality, equity, and cost efficiency. They discussed policy changes to consider in designing a universal healthcare system. The research will will be part of a report the California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS) will submit to the state legislature by January 1, 2025. The public is invited to submit comments to:

SB770publiccomment@chhs.ca.gov

The CHHS January "interim report" is the first step in the two-year process called for in SB-770 Unified Health Care Financing, signed last year by the governor. The aim of the process is to address key unresolved policy questions, explore the terms for federal support, and increase the likelihood of legislative support for a single-payer system.

Do you have questions about the process and expected outcomes of SB-770?



To get a firm grasp on events that will be unfolding in the months to come, listen to this 18-minute Code Wack interview with Michael Lighty, president of the Healthy California Now coalition (HCN) that sponsored the bill, This link also contains the text of the law and related articles.

Two September Events with Dr. Ed Weisbart

September 12, 5:30-6:30 p.m. PT

The Healthcare Task Force of the League of Women Voters of Colorado (LWVCO) has invited Dr. Ed Weisbart, Physicians for a National Health Program, to speak about Medicare Advantage. More than half of seniors are now enrolled in these privately managed for-profit plans supported by public funds.

Please register on the LWVCO website calendar



Video conference information will be provided in an email once registration is complete.

September 16, 5 p.m. PT

Traditional Medicare? Medigap? Medicare Advantage? Understand Your Decision Before Open Enrollment Begins

Free webinar hosted by the Consumers Council of Missouri

Featuring Dr. Ed Weisbart, CCM vice-president and Physicians for a National Health Program board secretary

Please register here

As Dr. Weisbart notes:

"It’s that time of year again, when seniors in the U.S. are subjected to countless TV ads, billboards, personal phone calls, and whatever else the corporate health insurance industry can dream up to deceptively enroll people in so-called “Medicare Advantage” plans.

Open Enrollment can be a confusing and stressful time, and it can be easy to make a decision that sounds like a good deal without understanding all of the pertinent details.

Individual circumstances vary, so we can’t make a blanket recommendation about the “best” Medicare decision for you. But we do want you to have all the information you need to make an informed choice. We’ll also set aside ample time for Q&A during this upcoming webinar, and will answer as many audience questions as we can."

Additional Resources for Open Enrollment

Seniors looking for more personalized guidance can also reach out to their local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (aka SHIP). These are federally-funded, state-administered groups of volunteers who provide unbiased guidance on Medicare. For the California site, click here.

In solidarity and with gratitude,

Devra Dallman, Chair

Health Care for All - California