Leland Lee Helps Healthcare Insurance Bosses Get Away With Profiteering

Your State Senator Voted AGAINST Health Care Rate Regulation

California Labor Federation AFL-CIO



Your State Senator has let Californians down by refusing to vote for a priority bill that would have regulated health insurance premium rates. Last night in the Senate Health Committee, Senators Leland Yee (D–San Francisco) and Gloria Negrete McLeod (D–Chino) refused to support AB 1554, allowing the bill to fail by one vote.

This bill was one of the year’s best hopes for bringing down our out-of-control health care costs. Modeled after auto insurance regulation, AB 1554 would have required health insurance companies to get prior approval from the government before increasing premiums, co-payments, and deductibles.

The health insurance industry strenuously opposed the bill, with Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Kaiser, Health Net, PacificCare, and the Hospital Association leading the way.

Senator Yee argued that AB 1554 would stand in the way of achieving single payer universal health care and SB 840. Yet, Senator Kuehl, the author of SB 840, stated that health insurance rate regulation was one of the most important bills of the year and urged members of the committee to support it.

Senator Negrete McLeod simply chose to abstain from the bill despite repeated and clear messages of support from a broad array of unions and consumer groups.

These two Senators chose to stand with the insurance industry over working families. Please call them today to express your disappointment in their lack of support for AB 1554.

Senator Leland Yee (if you're in San Francisco or San Mateo County): 916-651-4008

Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod (if you're in San Bernardino County): 916-651-4032