by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Working Californians blogs]

The supporters of AB 1x1 are pulling out all of the stops. A group of health care reform leaders signed a letter to Sen. Shelia Kuehl urging her to support the bill. Sen. Kuehl is a huge proponent of single payer and has stated she will not support the bill sitting before her committee. It cannot pass unless she votes for it or Sen. Perata replaces Sen. Yee from the comittee.

Here is the letter they sent (h/t to Anthony)

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[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

One of the key provisions of the Democratic health care bill (AB 1x1/Nunez-Perata) is a requirement that health insurance companies spend 85 percent of the cost of a premium on health care. Blue Cross, one of the largest health insurance companies (and not to be confused with the nonprofit Blue Shield), I'm told, spends about 35 percent on health care -- and pockets the rest.<> <>So it shouldn't come as any surprise that Blue Cross would oppose the bill. But here's what its lobbyist testified, out loud, to the Appropriations Committee on Monday when discussing the provision in the bill that would erase the ability of insurance companies to deny coverage. Blue Cross rep Mike Paive said it would allow "sick individuals to further corrupt the pool."<> <>Imagine that. Providing health insurance to sick people.