RNs Call on Legislature to Reject Insurance-Based Reform - Nurses Urge Democrats to Stand Up to Insurers

Instead, Burger said, "the Legislature should show the political courage and leadership to pass SB 840, as it did last year, and join us in a broad, public campaign to persuade Gov. Schwarzenegger to sign the bill." SB 840, by Sen. Sheila Kuehl, would establish a publicly financed, single-payer system for California, utilizing the currently mostly private provider network, a form of an enhanced and expanded Medicare for all.

By contrast, AB 8, said CNA, would merely reinforce the existing systemically flawed insurance-based system through a mandate on businesses to provide insurance for their employees or pay into a system to buy more insurance.

"In addition to being a windfall for the same insurance companies that have become notorious for reaping huge profits through denial of care, the bill is deceptive, and probably illegal," said Burger.