On
Monday April 16th elected officials, school board members, administrators,
teachers and other school employees, as well as residents of South
San Francisco and nearby cities attended a presentation of the California
Universal Healthcare Act (SB 840) during a public meeting in the
Staff Development Building of South San Francisco High School.
Attendees viewed the documentary "The Healthcare Solution:
California OneCare," then heard a panel discussion of health
care problems in the community. Shell Cajbon gave a compelling
patient story about her own problems with the health care system,
from mis-diagnosis to financial loss. Pat Crawford shared her
perspective as a representative of the California Alliance for
Retired Americans. Rayna Lehman of the San Mateo Central Labor
Council explained how rising health care costs are preventing
labor union members from getting wage increases. Dr. Barry Massie
described his experiences as a cardiologist and the advantages
of working at the Veterans Administration Hospital in San Francisco,
where the government as the sole payer can keep costs low and
achieve efficiencies not obtained in other systems. Andrew McGuire,
Executive Director of Health Care for All California, commented
on competing reform measures in the Legislature.
A question-and-answer period followed, with the panelists fielding
a number of inquiries about how SB 840 would work to eliminate
problems in the current health care system.
Rich Holober, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of
California, concluded the formal meeting with an appeal for support
for SB 840, and a number of those present signed up to distribute
mail-in cards in support of the measure.
The event was sponsored by the OneCareNOW, CA Alliance for Retired
Americans, CA School Employees Association, Consumer Federation
of CA, Health Care for All SF/Mid-Peninsula, League of Women Voters
San Mateo County, and the San Mateo County Central Labor Council.
For additional information, call Rich Watters (650) 856-7430.
