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GUEST: Jerry Flanagan, Healthcare policy director, Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights

On August 9th, in Sacramento, hundreds rallied at the Capitol building in support of The California Health Insurance Reliability Act or CHIRA. Introduced by State Senator Sheila Kuehl, a Democratic representative from Santa Monica, Senate Bill 840 as CHIRA is also known, would create a single payer universal healthcare system designed to insure all Californian residents. SB 840 would also provide its consumers with the option of choosing their own doctors, health care providers, and facilities. Last June, the State Senate approved SB 840 by a vote of 24-14. The bill is now pending legislative approval on the Assembly floor. Supporters of the bill cite the recent announcement that 116,000 Californians stand to lose health coverage via Pacific Health Advantage by the year’s end as another example of the necessity of a single payer system. However, Governor Schwarzenegger has characterized the bill as a “tax-increase,” and is expected to veto SB 840 should it reach his desk.

For more information visit www.consumerwatchdog.org, and www.healthcareforall.org.