Picks for November 8 Election

After a vigorous discussion at our September 19 general membership meeting, Vote Health has taken a position on all eight propositions on the November 8 ballot. We hope you consider our recommendations as you complete your absentee ballot or go to the polls.

No on Prop. 73 - Parental Notification About Abortion - This would require health care providers to notify a parent or guardian 48 hours before performing an abortion on a young woman under 18 years old. The Calfornia Nurses Association, ACLU, California Primary Care Association and many other health groups also oppose Prop. 73.

No on Prop. 74 - Teachers Tenure - This measure extends the probationary period for new teachers from 2 years to 5, with no right to a fair hearing on their dismissal during this 5 year period. Current law already allows for firing teachers who aren't performing, no matter how long they've been on the job. This proposition blames teachers rather than underfunding, overcrowding, and the lack of materials and resources needed for effective teaching and learning.

No on Prop. 75 - "Paycheck Deception Act" - This initiative is sponsored by corporate interests who want to limit the political voice of teachers, nurses, police and firefighters, who have led the fight against Schwarzenegger's budget cuts and broken promises. If passed, public employee unions would have to get annual permission from members to use union dues for political purposes, although such restrictions would not apply to corporate contributions or those of other dues-collecting organizations. Public workers already have the right to opt out, but this measure would force unions to spend much more time each year gathering forms rather than representing their members on the job. Continued on page 2

No on Prop. 76 - State Spending/School Funding - this measure significantly changes the rules governing the state budget process, giving the governor far more power to make unilateral changes and allows him to ignore Prop. 98, the voter-approved minimum funding for schools. In addition to permitting cuts in healthcare and other vital services, it is estimated that school funding would be cut by over $4 billion every year, or $600 per student.

No on Prop. 77 - Reapportionment - while many voters don't like the current redistricting process, this initiative requires immediate reapportionment, which would be based on outdated census data and gives control to a panel of 3 retired judges who are not directly accountable to voters. It's a costly proposal and its haste is as unnecessary as this November election itself is.

No on Prop. 78 - Drug Companies Prescription Discount Initiative - the pharmaceutical industry is spending millions on this initiative in hopes of confusing voters to keep them from passing the real prescription drug relief contained in Prop. 79. In this version drug company participation would be voluntary. A 'no' vote is necessary on this phony measure because whichever measure gets the highest number of a majority of votes becomes law.

Yes on Prop. 79 - "Cheaper Prescription Drugs for Californians Act" - this measure creates a real drug discount program that requires participation by drug manufacturers, or they will lose the right to sell drugs through the state's Medi-Cal program. It will mean steep discounts for seniors, families and the state, as it allows the state to negotiate directly with drug companies for lower drug prices for millions of Californians.

Yes on Prop. 80 - "Affordable Electricity and Preventing Blackouts Act" - this consumer initiative will override the failed energy deregulation politices and put utilities back in the business of serving the public. It will help to prevent blackouts and fraud by unregulated private energy producers like Enron.

Medical Center Survives Cambio's Tenure

The consultants from Cambio Health Solutions have departed, but they couldn't leave without taking one more swipe at the Medical Center's staff, service and patients as they walked out the door. In their final report, Cambio once again urges the Board of Trustees to cut staff and services.

After 18 months on the job, they never understood that it is the mission of public hospitals to serve the poor and uninsured, that makes them inherently unprofitable. Cambio states the obvious: ÒSeveral clinics are unprofitable and should be reviewed for closure."

Nowhere in their 22 page report do they consider the needs of ACMC's patients or the community. Instead they urge the trustees to Òeliminate or downsize the following clinics: dental, adult medicine, Juvenile Hall, breast screening, sexual assault, HIV and substance abuse," without considering the human costs of such closures.

In their single-minded determination to downsize the Medical Center, they missed another opportunity. They steadfastly refused to focus on those clinics and services that are profitable to develop strategies to enhance these programs and the revenue they generate. Even if one accepts Cambio's callous bottom line focus, their analysis doesn't hold up.

In its closing statement, Cambio dismisses the efforts of the medical staff to increase revenue by attracting insured patients to ACMC as Òunrealistic." Yet the medical staff succeeded in their efforts to increase labor and delivery, endoscopy, and surgery, despite Cambio's attempts to block these initiatives.

Already, the trustees have acted to reverse at least one of Cambio's ill-advised cuts by restoring nursing positions to Highland's ER. We hope this marks the return of commonsense to the Medical Center and a renewed commitment to ACMC's mission.

Newest Poll Shows Most Californians Favor Universal Health Care!

The latest statewide PPIC poll clearly demonstrates that Californians prefer a government-run universal health insurance system over the current one in which coverage is provided by employers or purchased privately. 59% would opt for universal coverage, while 34% prefer the current system.

More than half of adults in all demographic groups favor universal health insurance; however, support is stronger among Latinos than whites (74%, 51%) and is higher among those with lower incomes and lower education levels.

Here's the exact wording of the question asked by PPIC: "Which would you prefer - the current health insurance system in the U.S., in which most people get their health insurance from private employers, but some people have no insurance, or a universal health insurance program, in which everyone is covered under a program like Medicare that is run by the government and financed by taxpayers?"

A related question more directly raised the issue of taxes: "Do you favor or oppose the U.S. government guaranteeing health insurance for all citizens, even if it means raising taxes?"

A solid majority (63%) of Californians favor health care for all citizens, even with higher taxes, while only 33% oppose this option. At least six in 10 of all demographic groups favor guaranteeing health insurance for all, and there are no differences by income, age or education.

Newsletter committee:
Jan Arnold, Bradley Cleveland, Kay Eisenhower and Jim Forsyth.
Our thanks to CA Nurses Association for their help in producing this newsletter.