This month there would be a significant and historic vote in the California Assembly, on Senate Bill 840. If passed, and signed by the governor, SB840 would offer comprehensive, high quality health insurance for all Californians. The bill provides for one health insurance plan (single payer) that covers every California resident, high excellence care and comprehensive benefits, choice of personal physicians, and affordability for individuals, families and businesses.

Incredibly, nearly 7 million Californians need health insurance during all or part of the year. Roughly 70 percent of these people are employed but do not get employer-based insurance. Many insured Californians are finding themselves "under-insured," meaning they have health insurance but procedures or benefits are barred or are only partially covered.