Subject: Senate Bill 840

June 7, 2007

The Honorable Abel Maldonado
15th District, State Senate
State Capitol Building, Room 4082
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Senator Maldonado:

The League of Women Voters of the Monterey Peninsula urges you to support the Kuehl bill (SB 840) which calls for universal health insurance that would provide comprehensive benefits for all residents, regardless of age or health or employment status.

For too long, we have suffered not only from rising premiums, deductibles and co-pays, but from the fear of being cancelled or excluded by our health plans when we get sick.  People are stuck in unrewarding jobs and unhealthy relationships just so they can hold onto their health insurance.  Businesses are being squeezed by increasing healthcare costs and are losing their competitive edge because of our broken healthcare system.  Doctors and hospitals must fight for every dollar from insurance firms who want to avoid paying claims.  City and county governments are facing staggering debt to pay for the increasing costs of healthcare for their retired employees. In Monterey County alone, the number of uninsured is staggering.

Senator Kuehl’s plan has been thoroughly researched and carefully written by healthcare professionals and legal experts.  No other plan offers comprehensive health coverage and yet will still save money for families, businesses, and the state.  I urge you to do your utmost to see that this bill becomes law.

At some point in the future, the nation will come under a single payer healthcare plan.  As California has been a leader in so many areas, lets make California the first state to enact a truly comprehensive single payer plan.

Regards,

Janet Brennan, President
LWV of the Monterey Peninsula