Green Party of California officially endorses Senate health care legislation designed to provide coverage for all state residents

GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release: Monday, April 4, 2005

Contacts:
Cres Vellucci, State Press Office, 916-996-1970,
Beth Moore Haines, GPCA Spokesperson, 530-277-0610,
Kevin McKeown, GPCA Spokesperson, 310-393-3639,
Sara Amir, GPCA Spokesperson, 310-270-7106,

SACRAMENTO (April 4, 2005) – The Green Party of California said it has now officially endorsed a state senate bill designed to provide health care coverage for all Californians, and still save the state billions of dollars.

SB840, authored by Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D-23, Los Angeles) is up for a vote this Wednesday in the Senate Banking, Finance and Insurance Committee.

The GPCA has long promoted universal program similar to Sen. Kuehl's measure to ensure that all Californians have a right to health care, regardless of income. The "California Health Insurance Reliability Act" meets those needs, providing Californians with better health coverage, including health, vision and dental, for less money.

"Santa Monica and the Green Party are proud of Senator Kuehl's leadership on universal health care," said Santa Monica City Councilmember Kevin McKeown, a member of the state Green Party Coordinating Committee.

"Providing high-quality affordable coverage for all Californians while saving money should be immediately embraced by the Legislature and the Governor," McKeown added.

An analysis from the highly-respectable, independent Lewin Group has concluded Sen. Kuehl's plan would afford residents comprehensive, affordable insurance with medical, dental, vision, surgical and prescription drug coverage and still save California $8 billion the first year and $344 billion over 10 years.

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The Green Party of California
http://www.cagreens.org
P.O. Box 2828, Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: (916) 448-3437
gpca@greens.org