Our Sponsored Bill, AB 657 (Hernández), has made it out of the Senate Appropriations Suspense File.  This bill would require the Office of Statewide Planning and Development (OSHPD), in collaboration with California's Workforce Investment Board (CWIB), to convene a Task Force with representatives from key stakeholders to create a Master Plan for California's health workforce including all professions in allied health. Aligning health workforce demand with education and training, the plan would identify the top 10 health care professions with the highest demand and develop a plan to leverage funding resources, form new partnerships, identify best practices, and minimize duplication of efforts.

 

This latest development is very encouraging given the fate of last year's version of the bill, AB 2375 (Hernández), which died in the Senate Appropriation Suspense file at the end of session.  AB 657 passed its third reading in the Senate yesterday.  Now that it has passed through the Senate, it will go back to the Assembly for concurrence on amendments made in the Senate.  The amendments have been small and limited in scope, for the most part affecting the composition of the task force.  Since the bill has not changed fundamentally, concurrence in the Assembly is likely.

 

With a concurrence in the Assembly, our focus will be on engaging in a dialogue with the Governor's office.  Our goal is to have AB 657 signed by the Governor.  There is still work to be done to make this bill law and our efforts are directed toward that end.  We are  calling upon our partners, coalition members and allies to send letters to the Governor encouraging him to sign AB 657 .  With visits and a healthy influx of correspondence in support, we can see to it that a long step is taken toward remedying health disparities in California. (Click here for letter to Governor template)

1)   Make calls to your local congressional representative today! See sample script below.

2)   Schedule a district visit with other community members to discuss how important it is for a public option to be included in the health care reform package.  For help scheduling a visit, please contact Patricia Ward at (916) 448-3234 or pward@lchc.org. 

3)  Attend a town hall meeting scheduled below, to ensure that representatives are hearing from both sides of this important debate. 

Sample Script:
 
Hello, my name is __________________(name) and I am calling from __________________(organization and or city).  I am calling today to ask ____________________(my representative or Senator) to support the public option in the healthcare reform proposals.  True and meaningful reform cannot take place unless people have a public option and a choice in their health care decisions.  Thank You!

 

 

"Let's Get It Done" Health Care Rally
Thursday, September 3 at 5:00 pm
Los Angeles State Park Cornfield (Los Angeles, CA)
 
Representative Sam Farr Watsonville Town Hall
Thursday, September 3 at 6:00 pm
Watsonville City Council Chambers (Watsonville, CA)
 
Representative Matsui Telephone Town Hall
Thursday, September 3 at 7:00 pm
For call-in information, register here

 

Free screening of Michael Moore film "Sicko"

 
Latino Health Awareness Month Festival
Saturday, September 12 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Freeman Park (Woodland, CA)
 
Representative Pete Stark Health Care Town Hall Meeting
Saturday, September 12 at 9:00 am
Ruggieri Senior Center (Union City, CA)
 
Representative Pete Stark Health Care Town Hall Meeting
Saturday, September 12 10:30 am
Hayward City Hall (Hayward, CA)
 
Representative Pete Stark Health Care Town Hall Meeting
Saturday, September 12 at 12:00 pm
Alameda City Hall (Alameda, CA)

 

Tuesday, September 15 at 11:00 am 

Oak Park Community Center (Sacramento, CA)

 

Alzheimer's Disease: An Introduction for Families