Author: William Ktsanes

This year has seen a lot of excitement for the ECDC, and will see a lot more. Many of our members have already renewed for 2017. But it’s possible that you haven’t. If you want to vote for endorsements, you MUST join or rejoin by June first.

Renew your membership now, and make sure you don’t lose your voting privileges and newsletter subscription! Go to ecdclub.org and click the green “Join Us” rectangle at the top right of the main screen. You’ll see the full schedule of membership fees, as well as the option of remitting by check or by PayPal, whichever is more convenient for you.

Our May 30th meeting will include a “meet and greet” with local elected officials, a presentation on current efforts toward single-payer health care, and a recap of the (now imminent) California Democratic Party state convention in Sacramento. Renew your membership and be there! And, of course, thank you.

Recently, State Senators Lara and Atkins introduced the Healthy California Act (SB562), which would provide comprehensive health care services to all residents of California.  It will be similar to an improved Medicare for All, with patients choosing their own doctors and services, and will be financed through a single payer system.   Significant cost savings will be realized through reduced bureaucracy.  A progressive payroll and income premium would replace insurance company premiums, co-pays, and deductibles, resulting in significant out-of-pocket net savings for most people.  Provider rates will be negotiated to ensure access, cost control, and high-value services.  SB562 would allow  negotiation with pharmaceutical companies to lower the prices of prescription drugs.  The advances from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would be folded into the new system.  As we are aware, the federal government’s attempts to repeal the ACA have created huge uncertainty as to the status of everyone’s health care benefits.   California can restore health security by implementing SB562 and guaranteeing comprehensive health care to all Californians in a financially sustainable way.  I encourage our club to endorse SB 562 and work towards its passage.  For further information about SB562, go to http://www.healthycaliforniaact.org or contact Jonee Grassi at joneemg@aol.com.

Jonee Grassi
ECDC Member