Hi {{ FirstName | default: “Friend” }},

HC4US is busy activating for CalCare, AB 1900. We buzzed around the Capitol in Sacramento last Friday, March 20th during the CUSP (California for Single-Payer) coalition Health Care Day of Action. We joined activists from all over the state in delivering “People’s Summons” to staffers in the offices of members of the Assembly Health and and Appropriations Committees, Robert Rivas, Speaker of the California State Assembly and Governor Newsom.

Several of our board members delivered energetic speeches and our Treasurer provided the tunes! 

We must keep this buzz going to activate assemblymembers to move CalCare through its first committee, Assembly Health. We need you to make calls to your assemblymember and members of the Health Committee now and before April 21.  

CNA Virtual Phone Banks

When: Wednesday April 1 and Thursday April 2 both at 3-5 PM, Pacific Time.

What: CNA organizers will do a quick training. You’ll call CalCare supporters and voters in key districts and patch them through to their assemblymembers’ offices so they can say they want CalCare.

Phone Calling Tools

Can’t make a CNA phone bank? No worries, here’s tools to help you make calls on your own.

First determine the name of your assemblymember. If you don’t know who your assemblymember is, find them HERE.

AB 1900 goes to the Health Committee first. We’re focusing on calling these four members of the Health Committee:

•  Jessica M. Caloza AD 52 (916) 319-2052
•  Mark González AD 54 (916) 319-2054
•  Dr. Darshana R. Patel AD 76 (916) 319-2076
•  Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins AD 79 (916) 319-2079

If your assemblymember is one of the four above, you can use this script:

Hi, I’d like to leave a message for the Assemblymember.

My name is ____________, and I live in zip code __________.

I’m your constituent and I’m urging you to vote yes on AB1900 when the Health Committee votes on it in a few weeks. Californians need AB1900 – CalCare, which is single payer health care. The Health Committee supported it in 2024 and I want them to do the same this year. Thank you.

If your assemblymember is NOT one of the 4 above, use this script. 

Hi, I’d like to leave a message for the Assemblymember. 

My name is ____________, and I live in zip code __________.

I’m not in the Assemblymember’s district, but as a member of the Health Committee, they will be representing all Californians when the Committee votes on AB1900 – CalCare, which is single payer health care. 

I’m urging them to vote yes on AB1900 when the Committee votes on it in a few weeks. 

The Health Committee supported it in 2024 and I want them to do the same this year. Thank you.

We journeyed to Sacramento from Los Angeles County. From left to right: Sheila Bates*, Timothy Hornor, Erika Feresten*, Alex Safford*, Gina Viola*, Denis Recendez*, Anthony Mercado, Paul Newman* and Carol Fodera*. (* indicates HC4US board members) It was a warm day but we were excited to be at the Capitol and participate in the CUSP Health Care Day of Action. Impressed with our camaraderie and devotion to the single-payer movement? We appreciate your donation HERE.

MELANIE COHEN

SHEILA BATES

TINA FREDERICKS

CUTTER RAY PALACIOS

At the Day of Action, besides featured speakers Dr. Butch Ware, Dr. Melina Abdullah, and Kshama Sawant there were many excellent speakers boldly speaking truth to power. Thanks to Punch Up Pod for recording, find the video by clicking on the button.

Melanie Cohen explained that CODEPINK seeks a world of peace and cooperation,not warfare. A 15% cut in America’s defense budget could pay for single-payer in CA and the rest of the USA.

Sheila Bates, HC4US board member is also with Black Lives Matter Grassroots, BLM LA and BLM CA. Sheila spoke about how CalCare’s Office of Equity would decrease medical apartheid and neglect of Black people. Health insurance companies take 33% of our health care dollars and CalCare eliminates this waste.

Tina Fredericks, Board President of the Pasadena Unified School District explained that employee health insurance costs are devastating public school budgets while state funding is shrinking. Our trust in Democratic leadership is also shrinking. Tina called for courageous leadership from elected Democrats to pass AB 1900. 

Cutter Ray Palacios of Hollywood for CalCare shared his heartfelt story of experiencing an injury when he was just 10 hours away from reaching the quota needed for health insurance from his union. 

HC4US’ chair Erika and co-chair Gina wrapped up the speaker program. Erika thanked attendees for caring about people in a society that doesn’t support caring about marginalized Americans and immigrants. Gina spoke about the importance of voting for candidates who demonstrate that they value us and our right to health care. We can’t elect the same politicians and expect different results.  

ORGANIZE. AGITATE. EDUCATE. LEGISLATE.

THANK YOU!