California Senate Bill 562 is Seeking to Abolish Private Health Insurance, Covered California and Medicare - Urge Your Elected Representative To Oppose

California has just completed another successful open enrollment season and the percentages of those who are uninsured have dropped to 7.1% - a record low in our state. As a health insurance professional in California, I understand the importance of quality health care coverage and affordability of that coverage.  That is why I'm compelled to write this blog entry.

The California Senate is presently seeking to abolish private health insurance in California, along MediCal, Medicare, Covered California, and the valuable advocacy services of health insurance professionals. 

Under Senate Bill (SB) 562 ALL Californians will lose their current benefit plans, to be replaced by benefits yet to be determined, to be serviced by an entity yet to be identified, to include new tax provisions yet to be detailed.  This would be disastrous for all Californias.  A bill of this magnitude has too many unanswered questions and Californians cannot afford "to pass it to find out what's in it."

California Legislators should also be concerned that by eliminating employer paid health coverage, single-payer shifts those health care costs to employees.  Early estimates are that government run health care will increase personal tax bills by at least $9,200 for every Californian the first year it is in effect, and go higher each year. Today, Californians know what their plan covers - and what it doesn't.  In government-run health care systems there is never enough money to provide timely care and the latest technology. That's because health care funds are forced to compete with other claims on government funds, such as education, welfare, water, transportation and infrastructure.

I rarely comment on political issues; however, this bill would be so devastating to Californians please consider contacting your elected representative(s) and urge them to focus on positive changes to reduce the cost of health care services and health insurance in a public/private partnership and to vote "NO" on SB 562.

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