Get Off The Fence

Tell these California State Senators to "get off the fence" on health care and support single payer legislation in California.  Even if you're not calling from California, it's not just about California, it's about the entire country!  This legislation could be a big step forward for everyone in the United States. 

As per Single Payer Now:

Contact 4 Senators today [published Jan. 26, 2012] who withheld vote on SB 810

The CA Senate voted on SB 810, The California Universal Healthcare Act earlier today. The 19 votes it received was 2 votes shy of the 21 necessary to pass it through to the Assembly. The following 4 Senators abstained from even casting a vote on this extremely important piece of legislation.

Senator Alex Padilla (Pacoima/LA area)

Email: Senator.Padilla@sen.ca.gov

Phone: (916) 651‑4020

Senator Juan Vargas (San Diego area)

Email: Juan.Vargas@sen.ca.gov

Phone: (916) 651‑4040

Senator Michael Rubio (Fresno/Bakersfield area)

Email: Michael.Rubio@sen.ca.gov

Phone: (916) 651‑4016

Senator Rod Wright (Los Angeles area)

Email: Senator.Wright@sen.ca.gov

Phone: (916) 651‑4025

According to Single Payer Now, SB 810 can be brought up again under “Reconsideration” this Tuesday, January 31, 2012.  So please call or email (or both), and let these fence sitters know - they could be helping the entire nation take an important step forward towards health care for the 99%!  Tell them to get off the fence and vote for single payer.  Health care is a human right!

Here is a link to a the bill in question.

Here is an article by Common Dreams staff asking people to call.  The bill fell 2 votes short of passing, with these 4 Democrats sitting the vote out.

Single Payer Now is asking people who contact the senators to email Don or call (415) 695‑7891;  leave a message and let them know.  Please visit their site if you're in California - they have more information for you.

Courtesy of Common Dreams

Photographer:  Rich Petroncelli/AP

"Health care advocates gathered for a rally to call for a single payer health care plan at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Jan. 9, 2012. Hundreds of doctors, nurses, medical students , seniors and their supporters demonstrated in support of the passage of SB810 which would establish a Medicare for All / Single Payer health care system in California." 

More on health care for all here and here.