California Senate Update: Passage of One Health Bill Yesterday and Another Expected Today--And Dozens of Other Bills

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Frank D. Russo

The Senate, with fewer members than the Assembly and also fewer bills (77 in total), adjourned earlier than their larger cousin, but passed major legislation yesterday on universal health care (SB 840--Kuehl), a referendum for Californians on the Iraq War, clean air, water, alternative fuels, flood prevention, food safety, sentencing reform, and privacy.

Major Health Care Legislation Passes

The Senate passed SB 840 (Kuehl), The California Universal Health Care Act, SB 840, which establishes a single payer universal health care system in California, passed the Senate Floor by a vote of 23 to 15 and now heads to the California State Assembly. Ot os expected to be joined there by SB 48 (Perata) which is being debated and voted on the Senate floor this morning.

SB 840 covers every California resident with comprehensive health benefits, contains the growth in health care spending, and provides patients with total choice over their doctors and hospitals. "California is leading the nation on health care reform with passage of SB 840," stated Senator Kuehl. "This is the gold standard for health reform and the only way to achieve the kind of health care system that Californians want and deserve."

Form more on SB 840, see the article from yesterday on bills passed by the Senate and another on the debate from late yesterday by Anthony Wright of Health Access California.

Senate Vote on Iraq Ballot Measure