I have an uncle who worked his entire life as a textile worker. When he retired he moved to California. Several yeas ago he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Like many retirees of his generation he was certain that his Medicare and supplemental health insurance that he pays for would cover his medical expenses, which included surgery, a hospital stay and subsequent chemotherapy treatments. He was shocked to find out that he was sadly mistaken. He received bills in the thousands of dollars in co-pays. Living on a fixed income and threatened by collections agencies, family members had to help this hard working and now sick and distraught man, pay those bills. His story is far from unique.

There is currently a bill before the California State Senate that is hoped will change that.  Senate Bill 840 the so called Single Payer Universal Healthcare Bill, is designed to bring affordable California health insurance coverage to all residents, and make stories like my uncle’s exceedingly rare. Currently in California thousands of residents do not have health insurance. Believe it or not many of them are employed full time, yet they cannot afford the cost of health insurance, but they make too much to qualify for state health insurance programs. Many of those without access to affordable health insurance wind up going to emergency rooms when they get sick. Emergency rooms are required by law to treat people, regardless of their health insurance status. Ultimately it is the taxpayers that foot the bill for this expensive healthcare.

The present health insurance system needs to be changed; Senate Bill 840 offers a practical and affordable fix. Under the bill every resident of California would have access to health insurance at a cost affordable to all. The plan does not give any one a “free ride”. Health insurance premiums will be based on income level and ones ability to pay.

Under the proposed health insurance reform, no one would be turned down. The plan also calls for wellness programs and preventive care, which save money in the long run. Health Insurance and medical professionals alike agree that it is more cost effective to prevent a disease than to treat it.

The plan would also include pre-natal care, mental and emotional healthcare and dental coverage. If the legislation is passed down the line the program may even provide health insurance coverage for long-term care, which is currently out of reach to many of the states seniors.

Also under SB 840 the state would be able to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies to purchase drugs in bulk and pass savings on to patients. The health insurance reform plan is also designed to streamline administration, save money and cut out waste. Doctors would be paid fairly and reimbursed quickly.  Instead of being saddled with endless hours of paperwork as they now, doctors would have more time to spend with each patient.