Did Calif's SB810 Go Into MJ's Coffin Today?

I got a call back from Waxman's office in DC this AM in response to my question to him as to whether or not the current draft of the tri-care or whatever they're calling it healthcare bill will allow for CA to do its own thing a la SB810. I was shocked that they actually took my phone number and called me back and told me that they had gotten in touch with "their legislative healthcare committee aides".

Apparently, the answer is no (that's the short form). Long form is this: Calif (& any other state) can choose 1 of 2 options:

1.)Manage the health insurance exchg, or
2.)Create and manage its own "public option" but only in addition to the federal public option and all of the insur cartel plans.

For a provider, this means one thousand six hundred and two payers you'll now have to manage besides which, hello Henry Waxman, yeah - you're heading up 1 of those 3 committees but you still are supposed to be representing the best interests of we in your district in California.

I mentioned to the aide I spoke with that hey, you know - we in California have a bill that lots and lots of folks in his district have been pushing him to support and that we know he knows about it and we know he's been talking to us and has been seeing us in his office constantly to the point of our being an expected and constant pest/on his back. Their answer: "...Mr. Waxman has nothing to do with California healthcare initiatives or bills. He is only heading up the Energy and Commerce committee in congress on healthcare...""Yes", I said, "I know he's heading up that committee but to date, we Californians in his district are still paying him to represent us and our interests..." No answer (not that I expected one).

I called Sara Rogers at Leno's office as soon as Waxman's office called me w/this response. Sara as many here might know is Sen. Mark Leno's (i.e., SB810 champion) go to person re healthcare reform in California and she is SB810 mayven supreme. Sara is talking to Sheila Kuehl (original author of SB840 which is now re-numbered as SB810) about this latest obstacle.

Are you in Waxman's district? Even if you aren't - get on him. Either we need to get Bernie Sanders' bill passed (S703 - not looking good right now - that's the one that retains the state's right to do what it wants) or get them to amend the current draft of this crappy enough federal healthcare bill so that we in Calif. can get SB810 passed regardless of who becomes our next governor.

Waxman: 202 225-3976
Waxman via fax: 202 225-4099