Senate Panel Endorses Bill to Move Presidential Primary to February
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved SB 113 yesterday, legislation that would move California’s Presidential Primary Election forward from the traditional June election date to Feb. 5.  The measure, authored by Senator Ron Calderon (D-Montebello), is designed to give the state more clout in presidential nominations.  County governments are concerned that they may not be able to recoup the increased cost of moving the election based on current state reimbursement levels.  The legislation is expected to be heard on the Senate floor next Tuesday and then will move to the Assembly before going to the governor.  Moving the primary has gained traction recently, because it would give Sacramento lawmakers the opportunity to put proposals on the ballot to loosen term limits and redraw voting district lines.

Coalition Forms to Support Health Care Reform
Health care reform proponents got a boost Tuesday when some of the biggest players in the state’s healthcare industry announced the formation of a coalition that will commit millions of dollars to a campaign for achieving universal access.  The alliance will include the California Medical Association, the Service Employees International Union, Catholic Healthcare West hospital chain, Kaiser Permanente, Blue Shield of California and Health Net.  The coalition has not agreed to support any plan in particular, but rather intends to push reform that is based on  “shared responsibility,” encompassing businesses, insurers and patients.  As Schwarzenegger spokesman Adam Mendelsohn noted, “You’re seeing a coalition of opposites ignite because they all believe that the healthcare system is broken, that’s a very dramatic statement.”

Introduction Deadline for Legislation Approaches
Policymakers in the State Senate and Assembly continue to submit pieces of legislation as both chambers near the bill introduction deadline on Feb. 23.  To date, introduction has been fairly slow, but a large number of measures will be introduced over the next two weeks.  CHI will continue to monitor the proposals and will determine which are of importance to the life sciences industry in the state.