Assembly Health Committee Discusses Health Care Reform
The Assembly Health Committee, chaired by Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally (D-Compton), held an informational hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 20, titled “Health Care Reform: What Are the Choices?”  The hearing is the first of two discussions that will examine the different approaches that have been proposed this year to reform the current health care system in California.  Proposals from Gov. Schwarzenegger, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez (D-Los Angeles) and Senate Pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) were reviewed by the committee.  Democratic legislators focused their questions on the proposed costs associated with the plans and if they would require too much of middle class Californians just above the poverty line cut-offs for subsidized care.  Republicans' comments focused on concerns that the proposals would actually raise the costs in the health care system because more people would be covered, allowing them to acquire more services.  A proposal by Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) for a universal, single-payer health care system will be the topic of discussion next Tuesday.

Bill Introduction Deadline – Friday, February 23, 2007
Lawmakers from the California Assembly and Senate continue to put forward their legislative proposals before today’s bill introduction deadline.  A large number of bills have been introduced over the past few days and CHI is in the process of analyzing them to determine which measures are of interest to the life sciences community in the state.  There are currently a number of placeholder bills for programs and policies relating to the uninsured in California that will be filled in as sponsors finalize their proposals.  Additionally, we expect to see legislation relating to intellectual property, tax policy, education initiatives and hazardous materials used in manufacturing.  CHI will provide a comprehensive list of pertinent legislation in next week’s edition of Sacramento at a Glance.

Registration Open for California Life Sciences Day
Join with leaders in biotechnology, medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biomedical research in Sacramento on Wednesday, March 28th to build support for the issues that matter most to California’s medical innovators.  Attendees will participate in face-to-face meetings with legislators and state government officials; network at a luncheon featuring a keynote address by a leading policy maker; and join legislators and their staffs at a closing reception at the historic Sutter Club.  Registration for the event is now open.  For more information visit www.lifesciencesday.org or contact Callie Robbins (858.551.6677 or robbins@chi.org)