CHI Opposes Measure Setting New Guidelines for Chemicals in the Workplace
AB 515 by Assemblywoman Sally Lieber (D-Mountain View) would require new permissible exposure limits (PEL) to be determined for chemicals used in the workplace and would additionally require the PEL standards to be set as recommended by the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). CHI is concerned that OEHHA does not receive input from industry in making PEL recommendations and the bill does not set any guidelines for OEHHA to receive industry input. The Senate Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations approved the measure on Wednesday, June 27, and it will be considered next in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee on Monday, July 2.  View CHI's opposition Letter.

CHI Removes Opposition to Clinical Trial Disclosure Legislation
Following a series of discussions with legislative staff of Senator Jack Scott (D-Altadena), CHI has removed its opposition to SB 606, legislation that would require drug companies to post the results of all clinical trials, except phase I trials.  The author agreed to an amendment that would extend the time, from six months to one year with a possible six-month extension, that manufacturers must post trial information after completion of the trial. An amendment ensuring that sensitive proprietary and confidential information not be made publicly available was also accepted.  The measure will be heard in the Assembly Health Committee on Tuesday, July 3.

Californians Favor Change in Health Care System
Despite the fact that 81 percent of Californians have health insurance, 90 percent of who are satisfied with their coverage, 72 percent of people responding to a recent Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) poll believe that the health care system is in need of major change.  With medical costs continuing to escalate, over 70 percent of respondents are concerned about the future and their ability to afford health care when they or a family member becomes ill.  Almost three-fourths of adults say they would support a proposal to require everyone to have health insurance (requiring cost sharing between employers, providers and individuals) while two-thirds would favor a system of national health insurance, even if it meant higher taxes. Support was widespread for the reform proposal put forth by Gov. Schwarzenegger – although respondents were not told that the governor was behind it – with 72 percent of adults saying they would support such a plan.  Following the release of the budget, attention in the Legislature will likely turn to this debate as policymakers attempt to reach an agreement on reform.