July, 2003
I was going back over some of my columns recently and it occurred to me that I have started a lot of them with some kind of personal story or complaint about how much work I have, how stressed I feel, or some random reference about how busy I am. Well, anyone who knows me well, can tell you that they can't even say hello to me without hearing about some of the items on my to do list. I must admit that this electronic age, of email, voice mail, the Internet and instant messaging can be a bit much. You know you have a problem slowing down, when the first thing you do when you get home is call your office to leave yourself four voicemails listing all of the things that you have to do the next day.
I was going along in my usual frenzied manner yesterday, when something happened. I was explaining a current advocacy issue to someone, making copies and thinking of my next task, when they looked up at me and started to cry. It seems that my explanation of yet another legislative fire to be put out, was just too much. Later that evening, when I was thinking about what had happened, I realized that there are a few things that I can learn from that experience.
- Everyone gets overwhelmed at one time or another.
- Slow down, people are what make the issues important in the first place.
- It is important to share positive things that are happening on the advocacy front too.
Currently, Senate Bill 921-The Health Care for All Californians Act is making its way through the Legislature. A so-called "single payer" bill, the proposal would replace the state's existing private insurance system with a single state agency that guarantees universal health care for all Californians. The agency would be run by an elected commissioner, it would take over billing and administrative services currently done by health plans, and it would set rates and coverage packages. Patients would get medical, dental, vision and mental health services, and prescription drugs, and would have free choice of providers.
The financing for this plan would involve no new spending. It would be financed by a low payroll tax on all employers, employees, the self-employed and recipients of unearned income. The bill with a few amendments has passed the Senate, and is now set for hearing in the Assembly Health Committee on July 8th. For more information about how you can get involved in the push for SB 921, Contact Health Care for All-California at 1-888 442-4255 or log on to www.healthcareforall.org
Now, on to the next advocacy issue, Oh come on, you knew you couldn't escape without having to hear about something negative...Some of you may recall last month's column regarding budget cuts that threaten the Medi-Cal Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level (A&D FPL) program. The Medi-Cal A&D FPL program provides Medi-Cal with no share of cost to individuals in California who are seniors (age 65 or older) or people with disabilities and who have "countable" income below a specific amount.
I'm including a discussion of it in this column because letters are still needed on this issue. Although, the target of the letters has changed somewhat from State Representatives and the Governor to the Governor and the "Big Five" The Big Five consists of the Governor and the four legislative leaders (the Senate President Pro Tem, the Speaker of the Assembly and the Republican leaders from both houses).
If these cuts take effect, a person whose countable income is $758 ($1 over the SSI/SSP grant level) would be required to pay $158 of his/her income each month in order to be eligible for Medi-Cal to pay their medical expenses. If you would like to write a letter or just get more information, please contact me at (831) 757-2968 or via email at ddallimore@cccil.org.