Healthy California Act Town Halls Kick Off Saturday in Southern California

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- The California Nurses Association issued the following news release:

"As 24 million threatened by federal repeal effort, we are ready to create the future of healthcare in California."

The first in a series of town hall meetings planned throughout the state, in support of the Healthy California Act SB 562, will be held March 18th and 19th in Fullerton, Pomona, Covina and Riverside, Ca. California state senators have been invited.

Advocates also plan a march and rally in support of SB 562, a bill that guarantees healthcare to all Californians by establishing a Medicare for all-type system, on March 26th in downtown Los Angeles.

The California Senate Health Committee is expected to hold the first hearing on SB 562 in April. The first round of town halls is being held in districts represented by Senate Health Committee members to educate and mobilize their constituents in support of the bill.

SB 562 takes on even greater urgency with the release of the Congressional Budget Office report Monday on the Republican bill to "repeal and replace" the Affordable Care Act. The federal bill, said the CBO, would throw 24 million people off health coverage within the next decade, slash $880 billion from Medicaid, and sharply drive up out of pocket costs, especially for older Americans. In California an estimated 5 million people would lose health coverage due to the repeal of the ACA, over 4 million who have gained coverage through the expansion of Medi-Cal.

"We are inviting our communities to the upcoming town halls to learn about SB 562, the Healthy California Act, a plan to provide timely access to comprehensive care, including mental health, dental and vision," said Deborah Burger, RN, Co-President California Nurses Association/National Nurses United. "As 24 million are threatened by the federal repeal effort, we are ready to create the future of healthcare in California."

"We are fighting with everything we have to stop the attacks on our healthcare and hold the line on the standards we've won," said Maribel Nunez, Director, California Partnership. "We are urging California legislators to play a leadership role by protecting the gains we've made and improving upon them with SB 562, to guarantee healthcare for all."

SB 562 was introduced by Senators Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens), and Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) in February, with the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU) as the primary sponsor, and support from the Healthy California Campaign, comprised of organizations representing over four million Californians. The bill declares that it is "the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would establish a comprehensive universal single-payer health coverage program and a healthcare cost control system for the benefit of all residents of the state."

Saturday, March 18th

Fullerton Town Hall: 10AM - 12PM Hilltop Banquet Center - 1400 Elks View Lane, Fullerton.

Pomona Town Hall: 1PM - 3PM New Life Community Church, 275 E. Foothill Blvd, Pomona - Sen. Connie Leyva will participate.

Covina Town Hall: 4PM - 6PM Covina Women's Club, 128 South San Jose Ave, Covina.

Sunday, March 19th

Riverside Town Hall: 2PM - 4PM First Congregational Church 3504 Mission Inn, Riverside.

Sunday, March 26th

Roseville Town Hall: 10AM - 12PM, Maidu Community Center, 1550 Maidu Dr., Roseville.

Healthcare is a Human Right - Los Angeles March & Rally: 11AM Assemble at Pershing Square, 532 S. Olive St, Los Angeles.

March, then rally at City Hall until 2PM.

Sunday, April 1st

Santa Cruz Town Hall: 10AM - 12PM, Louden Nelson Community Center, 301 Center St., Santa Cruz.

The town halls and the bill are co-sponsored by numerous organizations including Americans for Democratic Action - Southern California, California Nurses Association, California Alliance of Retired Americans, California Partnership, Campaign for a Healthy California, Clinica Monsenor Oscar A. Romero, Communities for a Better Environment, Consumer Federation of California, Courage Campaign, Health Care for All - California, J. Glynn & Associates, Labor United for Universal Healthcare, National Union of Healthcare Workers, Our Revolution, Physicians for National Health Program - CA, Progressive Democrats of America, Single Payer Now, UPTE-CWA 9119, and United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers & Allied Workers - Local 36.

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