READER’S EDITORIAL: WHY DID ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS BLOCK UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE BILL WHEN HEALTHCARE FOR ALL IS IN THE PARTY PLATFORM?

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By Hugh Moore, RN, El Cajon

 

An Open Letter to the California Democratic Party:

 

June 13, 2011 (El Cajon)--I’m a registered nurse who works in a hospital that serves the disenfranchised and sees every day the damage that the lack of a healthcare system causes. So when I heard that the California Democratic Party had added the principle of healthcare as a right rather than an option of all people I was ecstatic. However, today I learned that the California Assembly managed to block SB 810 from moving forward to being passed this year. I don’t understand. Doesn’t the Democratic Party control the Assembly? Did I not understand the Platform?

California Democratic Party Health Care Platform:

California Democrats believe that health care is a human right not a privilege. The CDP recognizes that the health and well-being of Californians cannot continue to be based on arbitrary private and public financial decisions, and therefore advocates legislation to create and implement a publicly funded (single-payer), privately delivered, fiscally tractable, affordable, comprehensive, secure, high-quality, efficient, and sustainable health care for all Californians.

To build a healthy future for all Californians, Democrats will:

• Support and implement universal comprehensive health care for all Californians that includes medical and dental care, full reproductive health services that respects a woman’s right to choose, preventive services, prescription drugs, and mental health and substance abuse counseling and treatment;
http://www.kintera.org/site/c.jrLZK2PyHmF/b.1193731/k.80F8/Health_Care.htm

Assuming I understood the above part of your Platform how do you explain the Assembly blocking this important piece of legislation that was the embodiment of your Platform?
 

Sincerely,

Hugh Moore, RN

 

I hope everyone who cares about healthcare in our state will also ask the party for an explanation. The party may be contacted at:

California Democratic Party
1401 21st Street, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95811
Fax: 916 442-5715

The opinions expressed in this editorial reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.
 


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