Citizens to Santa Clara Co. Supes: Get Behind Single Payer!

H.R. 676 would meet all the objectives of the National Association of Counties' health care reform principles by:

--providing affordable quality health care to all

--investing in public health and promoting disease and injury
prevention

--strengthening the local health care safety net system

About 30 people attended a meeting of the Legislative Committee of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on August 13. Most were there because of Agenda Item #5:

RECOMMENDEDED ACTION by Supervisor Dave Cortese
Consider a support position for HR 676: The United States Health Insurance Act and refer to the Board of Supervisors
for action.

Speakers came up one by one to the podium, each trying to stay within the two minutes time allotted to speak to the issue. Every single speaker, including a member of the county's Health Advisory Committee, spoke out in FAVOR of Single Payer and urged the Legislative Committee to move forward so that the Board could endorse HR 676.

Supervisor Liz Kniss, a former nurse and Chair of the Legislative Committee, said that "the tenants of HR 676 are excellent" and "we want to be players". She clarified her personal position saying, "I am NOT opposed but not ready to take a stand, although a lot of our principles fit with the bill". Supervisor Ken Yaeger, Assistant Chair of the committee, stated he supports HR 676, but said the committee needs to see more analysis before they take it to the full Board. Both alluded to the confusing situation that the large number of proposals for health care reform nationally present.

Fred Hirsch of Plumbers and Fitters Local 393 spoke for most county residents who came to speak at the meeting, when he addressed the committee saying, "No matter what the fog is about other legislation, I urge you to stand up for principles and support Single Payer."