Action Letters

League of Women Voters^®
of San Jose/Santa Clara

Action letters

Action Letters written to public officials stating League concerns based on LWV positions.

Support National Popular Vote. Support SB 810. Support Single Payer Healthcare and SB 810. Support Single Payer Healthcare. Support Single Payer Healthcare and SB 810. Response from the Mayor's Office: Sunshine Reform Task Force, City of San Jose. Sunshine Committee. Healthcare Reform. Creeks Trail. Single Payer Health Care.

Letter to Senator Simitan Supporting National Popular Vote

July 7, 2011
Senator Simitian:
The League of Women Voters supports AB 459, the bill that would ratify the National Popular Vote interstate compact. After this compact has taken effect, California's Secretary of State would be required to certify the appointment of the slate of presidential electors that is nominated in association with the presidential ticket that receives the largest national popular vote total. California's electoral votes would go to the candidate who has received the most votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The compact would only become effective if states cumulatively possessing a majority of the total electoral votes have ratified it.
The League of Women Voters believes that the direct-popular-vote method for electing the President and Vice-President is essential to representative government. We support the use of the National Popular Vote Compact as one acceptable way to achieve the goal of the direct popular vote for election of the president until the abolition of the Electoral College is accomplished.
It will mean every vote will be equal and every vote will be relevant. California voters will no longer be ignored in presidential campaigning. Please vote "yes" on A.B. 459.
Sincerely,
Gloria Chun Hoo President

Letter to The Honorable Ed Hernandez in Support of SB 810: The California Universal Health Care Act of 2011

Dear Senator Hernandez:
I am writing to express the League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara's strong support for single payer, universal health care and for SB 810 (Leno), the California Universal Health Care Act. I urge your support for this important legislation and request that you work hard to bring it to the Governor's desk.
Health insurance premiums are drowning California's working families and businesses. As premiums increase, benefits are steadily decreasing - leaving families unable to pay the cost of their care, even when they have insurance.
SB 810 will dramatically reduce premiums for businesses and families, cover all medically necessary health care, eliminate the risk of medical bankruptcy, and contain health care spending over the long term. SB 810 will save California businesses and state and local government millions of dollars in employee health care costs, and it is the only plan that responsibly funds retiree health care.
Single Payer will help middle and lower income families and businesses that are the backbone of California's economy. SB 810 will create jobs, ease the burden on California's budget and improve health care for every single Californian. California families and employers can no longer afford to waste 30% of every health care dollar on a private health insurance bureaucracy designed to minimize the payment of claims instead of maximizing the health of the people.
SB 810 would dramatically increase patient choice and provider competition by guaranteeing every Californian total choice over his or her doctors and hospitals instead of the narrow provider networks that restrict choice today. I urge your support.
Sincerely,
Martha C. Beattie, President League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara
cc: The Honorable Mark Leno
The Honorable S. Joseph Simitian
The Honorable Elaine Alquist
The Honorable Ellen Corbett
The Honorable Sam Blakeslee
The Honorable Bob Wieckowski
The Honorable Richard S. Gordon
The Honorable Paul Fong
The Honorable Nora Campos
The Honorable Jim Beall
The Honorable William W. Monning
The Honorable Luis A. Alejo

Letter of support to Assembilypersons Beall, Coto, Ruskin, and Fong regarding SB 810 the California Universal Healthcare Act

August 23, 2010
I am writing to express my organization's strong support for single payer, universal health care and for SB 810 (Leno), the California Universal Health Care Act. I thank you for your co-sponsorship of this important legislation, and request that you continue to work hard to bring it to the Governor's desk after this final vote.
Passage of federal health reform has greatly increased the importance of California's advocacy for universal health care. Federal health reform is the tipping point for health reform, not the end goal. Single payer remains the gold standard for health care reform and is the only model that will achieve truly universal coverage. SB 810 will dramatically reduce premiums for businesses and families, will cover all medically necessary health care, will eliminate the risk of medical bankruptcy, and will contain health care spending over the long term. Importantly, SB 810 will save California businesses and state and local government millions of dollars in employee health care costs and is the only plan that responsibly funds retiree health care.
California families and employers can no longer afford to foolishly waste 30% of every health care dollar on a private health insurance bureaucracy designed to minimize the payment of claims instead of maximizing the health of the people. SB 810 would dramatically increase patient choice and provider competition by guaranteeing every Californian total choice over his or her doctors and hospitals instead of the narrow provider networks that restrict choice today. This legislation will help middle and lower income families and businesses that are the backbone of California's economy.
SB 810 will create jobs, ease the burden on California's budget and improve health care for every single Californian. I am grateful for your continuing support.
Sincerely, Martha C. Beattie, President League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara + also serving Milpitas, Morgan Hill, and Gilroy

Letter of support to California Assembily Speaker Perez regarding SB 810 the California Universal Healthcare Act

June 23, 2010
The Honorable John Pérez State Capitol, Room 219 Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Assembly Speaker Perez:
I am writing to express the League of Women Voters and my strong support for single payer, universal health care and for SB 810, the California Universal Health Care Act. I urge your support for this important legislation and request that you work hard to bring it to the Governor's desk this year.
Passage of federal health reform has greatly increased the importance of California's advocacy for universal health care. Single payer remains the gold standard for health care reform and is the only model that will achieve truly universal coverage. SB 810 will dramatically reduce premiums for businesses and families, will cover all medically necessary health care, will eliminate the risk of medical bankruptcy, and is proven to contain health care spending over the long term. Importantly, SB 810 will save California businesses and state and local government millions of dollars in employee health care costs and is the only plan that responsibly funds retiree health care.
SB 810 would dramatically increase patient choice and provider competition by guaranteeing every Californian total choice over his or her doctors and hospitals instead of the narrow provider networks that restrict choice today. SB 810 would significantly lower health premiums for businesses and families that are struggling to pay unaffordable premiums that rise as much as 40% every year. This legislation will help middle and lower income families and businesses that are the backbone of California's economy. SB 810 will create jobs, ease the burden on California's budget and improve health care for every single Californian. I urge your support.
Sincerely,
Martha C. Beattie President
cc: Senator Mark Leno
Assembly Member Jim Beall
Assembly Member Joe Coto
Assembly Member Paul Fong
Assembly Member Ira Ruskin
Assembly Member Albert Torrico

Letter of support to California Senators regarding SB 810 the California Universal Healthcare Act

Letter sent to California Senators: Sens. Alquist, Corbett, Maldonado, and Simitian
Re: SB 810, Single Payer Healthcare legislation E-mailed to each on January 27, 2010
[For Alquist and Corbett: I wish to thank you for being a (Principal) Coauthor of SB 810 (Leno), the California Universal Health Care Act.] The League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara joins other Leagues across California in supporting SB 810. I am sure you are coauthoring it because it will provide fiscally sound, high quality, affordable health care to all Californians, provide every Californian the right to choose his or her own physician, and control health care cost inflation. SB 810 makes good fiscal sense. It combines the federal, state and local funds already spent on health care with affordable insurance premiums that replace all the premiums, deductibles, out-of-pocket payments and co-pays now paid by employers and consumers. It limits the amount that can go to administrative overhead to five percent of our health care dollars, avoiding the huge waste in our current system.
Escalating health care costs are a burden to all Californians personally as well as to state and local governments that are major employers and safety net providers. With our state budget facing another $20 billion-plus deficit, and with millions of Californians without jobs and health care, we must take the important step of passing real health care reform.
[For Alquist and Corbett: You can be assured that your constituents back your actions in coauthoring SB 810. Thank you for so actively promoting a bill that will benefit all Californians.]
Sincerely, Martha C. Beattie President League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara

Response from the Mayor's Office: Sunshine Reform Task Force, City of San Jose

City of SANJOSE Chuck Reed CAPITAL OF SILICON VALLEY MAYOR
November 2, 2009
Ms. Martha C. Beattie President League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara P.O. Box 5374 San José, Ca 95150-7715
Dear Ms. Beattie.
Thank you for your letter regarding the August 4, 2009 Council meeting discussion of the educational park library contract. Enclosed is a memo from City Attorney Doyle that explains why we are not required to have public testimony during Orders of the Day when we set our agenda.
The Council takes action on Orders of the Day to approve the agenda. It has been our practice since I have been Mayor that changes to the agenda may he done under Orders of the Day if there is no objection or discussion. If there is an objection to changing the agenda order, or if a Council member wants to discuss the item, we consider the item when it is originally scheduled on the agenda. At that time, it still may be dropped or deferred, after there has been an opportunity for the public to testily.
It appeared to me that Mr. Brownstein was attempting to use a parliamentary maneuver to prevent a public hearing on the educational park library contract. I was well aware of the great public interest in the item and that many people wanted to testify. Since it was scheduled to he heard toward the end of the meetings, most of the people who wanted to testify had not yet arrived when the Council considered the agenda under Orders or the Day. It appeared to me that the only people present were those who were aware that the parliamentary maneuver would be attempted. I did not think it was fair to have a substantive discussion very early in the meeting and deprive many members of the public of the opportunity to participate.
Ultimately, numerous people did testify, including Mr. Brownstein, and everyone had a fair chance to speak on the issue of dropping the item or not. I think that is what Sunshine is all about. Mr. Brownstein's effort to use a Sunshine argument to justify an attempt to preclude public participation should be dismissed.
I would enjoy meeting with you to discuss this matter further. lf you would like to do so, please contact Celia Miller at 408-535-4819 to schedule a convenient time.
Best Regards,
Chuck Reed Mayor
200 East Santa Clara Street, 18th floor, San Jose, CA 95113 tel (408) 535--4800 fax (408) 292-6422 http://www.sjmayor.org

Sunshine Reform Task Force, City of San Jose

October 27 2009
Mayor Chuck Reed Members of San Jose City Council 200 E. Santa Clara St. 18th floor San Jose CA 95113
RE: City Council meeting Sept. 24, 2009 City Attorney Rick Doyle's response to letter from Bob Brownstein dated September 9, 2009 Rules Committee agenda item H.1 9-30-09
Dear Mayor Reed and City Council:
The League of Women Voters is a strong supporter of sunshine reform and has participated in and followed the subsequent work and implementation of the Sunshine Reform Task Force recommendations.
We believe that the intent of the reforms put forth by the task force was to promote openness and opportunity for the public to participate at every level. While the Brown Act does much to ensure openness in public meetings, the Task Force intent is to go much further, beyond the basic tenets of openness, and allow the public in at every opportunity.
Obviously, after a motion has been voted on is not the time to receive opinions. When there is no chance left to influence a vote, words are wasted.
The situation that occurred at the August 4, 2009 meeting, when a motion to drop an item from the agenda was made, seconded, and voted upon points up this issue. Council members weighed in with opinions, but the public was not allowed that opportunity. Procedurally, there was a step missing. The fact that the issue received a good deal of testimony on its merits later on is not the point. The point is that the original motion--whether to discuss it at all-- did not receive a full hearing with public input.
The City Attorney's opinion is correct as it refers to the Brown Act, but it does not take into account the spirit of sunshine efforts.
"Sunshine" is a concept eagerly to be hoped for, but difficult to achieve. Practical considerations--time available, resources to be called upon, convenience--can get in the way of truly opening discussion to its fullest extent. Still, the goal is to reach that concept, not to come up with reasons not to.
The League strongly suggests that further discussion of policy in this area be undertaken by the appropriate body in order to allow public input at every level of debate on issues. The process of dealing with issues is every bit as important as the issues themselves.
Sincerely, Martha C. Beattie President
Cc: City Clerk
City Attorney

Healthcare Reform

Note: This letter was sent to Senators Feinstein and Boxter and Representatives Honda and Lofgren)
August 17, 2009
The Honorable Diane Feinstein 331 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Feinstein: America is facing a health care crisis caused by a combination of skyrocketing costs and an insurance system that leaves 47 million of us without any coverage. The current health care system is endangering both our economy and our health, and voters have made it clear that they want change. As Congress considers health care reform legislation, the League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara urges you to consider the following issues. First, health care reform legislation must guarantee quality, affordable health care to all U.S. residents. The League believes that it is universal coverage that will determine the humanity of our system. All Americans must have health care coverage, including the choice of a quality, affordable public insurance plan. The legislation must include a benefits package that includes the prevention of disease, health promotion and education, primary care, acute care, long-term care, mental health care, and prescription drug coverage. It must allow for pre-existing conditions. We believe that health care legislation must establish a system-wide program to coordinate information and establish best practices. It is essential that comparative data on treatments, benefits packages and medical outcomes be made publicly available. The federal government needs to take strong action to reduce the costs of health care for individuals, businesses and communities within the context of overall health care reform. We must reduce or eliminate cost-shifting. Legislation must provide effective cost controls and equitable distribution of services, and must allow for efficient and economical delivery of care. Offering everyone the choice of a government administered health insurance plan like Medicare that would compete with private health insurance plans will be key. I understand that during the recess there has been some talk on the part of the administration that this government-administered plan will be dropped. This cannot be allowed to happen! To achieve this kind of comprehensive, system-wide reform will take a shared effort by citizens and Congress. The League of Women Voters is ready to work with you to reach this goal. Sincerely,
Martha C. Beattie, President League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara

Letter to the Planning Commission, City of San Jose

Planning Commission City of San Jose Attn: Sylvia Do RE: Appeal of Permit H09-009
August 26, 2009
The League of Women Voters supports strongly the need for San Jose to have a General Plan to guide its growth. Even more strongly do we support the need to follow it.
The above-referenced issue before the Planning Commission today is an example of what happens when the plan is ignored, forgotten, or otherwise not consulted. Certainly the larger issue of the effect of constructing a permanent structure in the middle of a planned trailway was not considered.
A system of trails connected to each other is part of the Greenprint for the city. A deliberate cutting off of that possibility is inexcusable. Why make trails in short segments, rather than allowing them to be used for destination travel--getting to work, school, shopping? A mile-long bike or pedestrian path is good recreation, but there is nothing at the end except to turn around and go home.
For this project, an EIR was not performed by qualified persons who are aware of the issues to be addressed and questions to be asked.
No public input was solicited and would not have happened at all if not for a few interested citizens who noted a seemingly innocuous item on the Director's Consent Calendar.
Somewhere in the process, the left hand should have noted what the right hand was doing. You have the opportunity to begin to correct the error. We urge you to take it.
Sincerely, Martha C. Beattie President

To the Presidential Transition Team, re Single Payer Health Care

The following letter, prepared by LWVSJ/SC VP and Health Committee Chair Martha Beattie, was sent to the Presidential Transition Team:
Quality, affordable health care should be available to all United States residents. The League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara (California) urges you to revise your framework for health care reform to embrace a single-payer solution.
It is crucial that serious consideration be given to single-payer plans in order to meet your three objectives:
1) to improve health care quality and cut costs;
2) to expand coverage and access; and,
3) to increase the emphasis on primary care and prevention.

"Medicare for All" as currently embodied in H.R. 676 is a model for our national health care, and most physicians (59%) and residents (62% or more) support it.
A SINGLE-PAYER SYSTEM WOULD:

IMPROVE HEALTH CARE QUALITY. It would improve quality by including procedures to ensure that the most appropriate and effective medicines and procedures are delivered, and it would set standards for best medical practice. The single risk pool also solves problems caused by fragmentation to help improve quality of care.
CUT COSTS. Cost cutting is achieved by creating economies of scale and streamlining administration to reduce massive waste. Many effective tools can be used, for example through global budgeting, capital investment planning, and evidence-based quality assurance. Indeed studies have shown that it would cost less than we now pay under the current multi-payer approach.
EXPAND COVERAGE AND ACCESS. It would offer comprehensive health care benefits for everyone, and ensure equity by providing all people in the United States with the same benefits and giving them a choice of doctors and hospitals.
INDIRECTLY PROMOTE JOB GROWTH AND THE U.S. ECONOMY. It would remove a financial health cost burden from employers and businesses by using progressive taxes.
INCREASE THE EMPHASIS ON PREVENTION AND PRIMARY CARE. Single-payer systems emphasize coordination of care and primary care in order to improve the efficiency of the system. Increasing primary care through universal coverage would result in decreased use of emergency rooms and hospitals.

The League of Women Voters believes that all Americans should have access to a basic level of care that includes the prevention of disease, health promotion and education, primary care, acute care, long-term care and mental health care. Other U.S. health care policy goals should include the equitable distribution of services, efficient and economical delivery of care, advancement of medical research and technology, and a reasonable total national expenditure level for health care.
A single-payer national health insurance approach is more likely to accomplish your objectives than other approaches you are now considering. We urge you to make it your priority.
Sincerely,
Sandra Mory and Sally Pyle
Co-Presidents, League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara, California

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