November, 2005

Senator Kuehl Replies to Vote Health Concerns over Changes to SB 840
With an expression of gratitude for the level of attention Vote Health is paying to the policy matters contained in her universal health coverage bill, SB 840, Senator Kuehl...

Vote Health Officers Appointed to Measure A Oversight Committee
Measure A's oversight committee is finally getting underway...

Vote Health Addresses Priorities for ACMC in Letter to Board
Vote Health responded quickly to Cambio's parting shot at the Medical Center in a letter...

Volunteers Helped Bury Arnold
Many thanks to all you Vote Health activists for the work you did to help defeat the governor's ballot measures.

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

October, 2005

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.

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.

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.

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

September, 2005

Additional Reading:
The Oakland Tribune published an Op-Ed piece written by Vote Health.

Sutter Won't Deal, Despite Pressure From Politicians and Community
The strike against Sutter Health will start Sept. 13...

Speak up for Sutter Workers
Alta Bates/Summit CEO Warren Kirk and Eden Medical Center's CEO George Bicshalaney continue to be major obstacles to a settlement. You can help...

Vote Health Exec Sends Letter to Senator Kuehl
A number of Vote Health members raised questions about amendments to SB 840, so the executive committee sent Senator Kuehl a letter...

Legislative Session Ends with Passage of Health Bills
Over a dozen health consumer bills are heading to the Governor's desk for signature or veto.

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

July, 2005

More Bad Press for Alta Bates/Summit Medical Center
The Contra Costa Times published a critical article on July 3 regarding patient care issues at our local Sutter Health facilities.

Alameda County Medical Center Dodges Layoffs But...
It is hardly surprising, after the Measure A win, that ACMC can finally produce a balanced budget.

Medi-Cal Largely Spared in State Budget
While Schwarzenegger got much of what he had proposed for the state budget, the legislature largely rejected the Governor's "Medi-Cal redesign"...

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

June, 2005

Was the Grand Jury Snookered?
The May 11 Interim Grand Jury Report trashing ACMC, the Board of Trustees, hospital workers and their unions contains so much bad information that it causes one to lose faith in the grand jury process!

SB 840 Clears the Senate!
Many support letters, endorsements, legislative hearings and lobbying in all its forms have resulted in Senator Sheila Kuehl¹s SB 840, the California Health Insurance Reliability Act, passing...

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

May, 2005

Kuehl’s Single Payer Bill Headed for the Senate Floor
The major health care reform bill being considered during this legislative session...

Cambio at the Medical Center — One Year Later
Over a year ago a group of consultants from Tennessee made some wild promises...

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

April, 2005

Next Step for SB 840 in Alameda County
Many local groups have already begun to organize support for the new single payer bill reintroduced by Sen. Sheila Kuehl.

Coalition Forms to Promote SB 840

Sutter Health Flunks Patient Care 101!
As widely reported in the local press, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center has been formally notified that it is at risk of losing its accreditation due to failures in patient care and record-keeping.

Single payer bill advances in legislature
Sen. Sheila Kuehl's universal healthcare bill, SB 840, passed its first hurdle in the Senate...

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

March, 2005

NEWEST LEGISLATION FOR SINGLE PAYER HEALTH CARE INTRODUCED IN SACRAMENTO
Armed with recent studies that confirm the need for drastic overhaul of our rapidly deteriorating health care system...

The Governor fought the law and the nurses won!
Congratulations to Cal Nurses Association for defeating our unilateralist governor's emergency regulation...

Vote Health Elects Officers, Executive Committee
Running unopposed, Kay Eisenhower was re-elected as Chair and Brad Cleveland as Treasurer...

Bush, Schwarzenegger Eye Medi-Cal Cuts
Medi-Cal, an absolutely essential part of the support for safety net hospitals, is being renegotiated...

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

January, 2005

Vote Health Donor Alert
Due to serious problems with our fiscal sponsor, Neighbor to Neighbor Education Fund, Vote Health can no longer accept check donations made out to the Ed Fund.

Exec Committee Nominations in January
At our Jan. 24 general membership meeting we will entertain nominations for Vote Health officers and executive committee members.

Health Care Cost Growth Slows ­ as Disadvantaged Lose Benefits
A report issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services indicates that health spending rose 7.7% in 2003...

Governor Targets Health Care for Budget Reductions
As expected, Schwarzenneger has proposed cuts in spending for education...

Vote Health Supports Community Clinics
The Board of Supervisors acted on Dec. 14 to disburse the 25% of Measure A funds...

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