April 11, 2018 - SB562, which would provide healthcare for all Californians, is slowing winding its way through the California legislature. To learn about how this bill could provide for your healthcare needs everyone is invited to the next Mariposa Democratic Club meeting on Saturday, April 14 at 9:45 a.m. The meeting will be held at the Miners Roadhouse. If you want to order breakfast for yourself, you should arrive by 9:00 a.m.

SB562, also known as the Healthy California Act, was started by the California Nurses Association and their cause has been joined by many other groups throughout CA.

It would cover all California residents and eliminate insurance companies in the state. It would pay for all medical care, including prescriptions and medical equipment. It would cover Medicare Part B premiums. All physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare providers in the state would be part of the plan. Each resident would receive an insurance card that would be used for each medical appointment. Medical providers would bill the Healthy California Trust Fund and weekly checks would pay the claims. Instead of dealing with a dozen different insurance companies and a dozen different forms, medical providers would only have to deal with a single entity.

Individuals would not have to buy individual insurance policies with high premiums nobody can afford. The plan would have healthcare professionals decided what is medically necessary instead of politicans.

All the money now spent by the state on medical coverage would go into a Healthy California Trust Fund. This includes funding for Medi-Cal and all other health programs. Instead of paying insurance premiums for employees, large companies would pay a small tax that would be less than current insurance premiums. There is a proposed increase in sales tax, and low-income people would receive a rebate. The sales tax would be significantly lower than current insurance premiums.

To learn much more about this bill, and have a chance to get answers to your questions, please plan to attend this meeting. A representative of the California Nurses Association will be in town for the meeting. There will be a short slide show followed by a question and answer period.

This meeting is open to the public and there is no charge to attend. Free coffee and water will be provided.