SEIU Members Lobby at State Capital

SEIU Members Visit State Capital for Quality Health Care

Thousands of SEIU and community members from throughout California visited the State capital this year to help push through a health care bill that will aid working families.

Thanks to their efforts and broad-based community support, the health bill (AB 8) was passed by the California Senate and Assembly last month.

If it becomes law, it will extend health coverage to 3.4 million working people who do not have health insurance. AB 8 will require employers without health plans to pay 7.5 % payroll tax to buy insurance for their workers.

Over the last few months, SEIU members have been meeting with legislators and discussing the critical need for health care reform such as AB 8. Some members shared personal stories of how they and their loved ones suffer under our shabby health care system.

Juana Aranivar , a teacher’s aide for Santa Clara County Office of Education, was among SEIU members who visited the capital in July. She spoke with Assemblyman Jim Beall, Jr.  I went to the doctor and he said I had a gallstone, she told Beall. This is very hard for me to pay $400 to go to the doctor. This is very expensive for me. I don’t have insurance.

Later that day in July, the Senate Health Committee voted to move the bill forward, and in September it passed through the Senate and Assembly.

But the battle isn't over. The bill was moved to special session and the Governor announced he will veto the bill, so we must continue to stay involved and build a new health care system that works.

What Can We Do About it?
Sign up for COPE: Making small contributions to your Committee on Political Education fund (COPE) helps keep politicians accountable on issues like health care reform. With COPE, our political power gets stronger.

Talk to others: It’s important that everyone know about this historical moment. We are poised for making real changes in our health care system. Talk to friends or family at your job, place of worship or community group and let them know what’s going. Encourage them to get involved, too.

Continue to go on lobby days: Members have turned out in droves to Sacramento to let our politicians know health care is important to us. It’s fun and it makes a difference. Volunteer for the next trip and bring a friend.

Become an e-activist: Visit www.itsourhealthcare.org for news and easy political actions you can do from home.

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