Randy Bayne on Single Payer

Randy and Leila
Originally uploaded by bedouina

Second cousin Randy Bayne blogs California politics and labor over at California Notes. Here's what he emailed me about the recent successful passage of SB-840, California's Single-Payer Health Insurance bill:

"As expected, SB 840 did pass and has gone to the Governor who is expected to veto it just as he did last time it passed. The party line vote was 22-14.

"Don't get too excited however. This isn't the first time single payer has passed in California. It did two years ago, same bill number - SB 840 - by the same author - Sheila Kuehl. This year's version is likely to meet the same fate - a veto by Schwarzenegger.

"We have shown, twice, that single payer can be passed in California. Now we just need to elect a Governor who will sign the bill. That will likely happen in 2010, but how supportive will Democrats in the legislature be of an SB 840 then if it really had a chance to become law.

"As things are now, Democrats can safely vote for single payer knowing it's defeat can be blamed on a Republican governor. I am not at all convinced a single payer bill passes if there is a chance a governor will sign it.

"We can pat ourselves on the back for this small victory, but political reality tells me we have a long way to go."

Thank you, Randy, for clearing this up.

My fellow Californians - how many of you have friends who are burdened with enormous premiums for individual health insurance? How many of you know people with no insurance because they can't afford the premiums? How many of you are putting off starting your own business because you can't afford to go out on your own with health insurance?

Single payer would solve a lot of problems for a lot of people.

Be sure and check Randy's blog for his take on SB-840, and many other matters of import to Californians and labor unions.

Alan Randle Bayne shares two great-grandparents with me, Samuel Ernest and Eva Randle Bayne. You see where Randy's name comes from... We only met because of his internet genealogy hobby - I found him when searching my family tree. Coincidence that we both live in Northern California and are liberal bloggers. The rest of the Baynes are pretty conservative and there aren't any others in our area.

Comments

[nona]

Still, calling the governor's office (916-445-2841) and urging him to sign SB840 seemed like a justifiable use of time. I was only on hold for about 3 minutes.

[paul, daly city, ca]

what if californians sign a promissory note to buy monthly $50 u.s. savings bond and have the savings bond addressed to sb-840...this would show california's dedication to put their money where their mouth is and would reduce or alleviate the one billion dollar deficit builded within the state budget.