October 7, 2005–California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today vetoed California Assembly bills AB 772 and AB 1199, which together would have made possible 100% health coverage for all children in California. As a result of the Governor's vetoes, an estimated 800,000 children in California will remain uninsured, and thus, continue to lack access to vital medical attention and preventative health services.

To read the Governor's veto messages, please visit http://www.governor.ca.gov/govsite/pdf/vetoes_2005/AB_772_veto.pdf (AB772) and http://www.governor.ca.gov/govsite/pdf/vetoes_2005/AB_1199_veto.pdf (AB 1199).

This legislation and its goals garnered support from over 250 organizations ranging from business, religious leaders, teachers, health plans, children's advocates, and health care providers. The clear need and urgency of a statewide plan to ensure every child in California has access to health insurance is evident by recent poll results showing 78% of voters in support of this goal.

This legislation took a very reasonable and fiscally responsible approach to covering all California children. The legislation would benefit all Californians, as healthier kids make better students, and ultimately more productive adults.

The Governor delivered multiple public statements highlighting and re-enforcing his commitment to cover all kids. We are disappointed he did not fulfill his commitment this year, but, with your support, we will continue to hold him accountable to California's children.

What next?
The 100% Campaign and PICO California are committed to health coverage for all California children. Among other efforts, in 2006 they will sponsor similar legislation in the form of Senate Bill 437, authored by Senator Escutia. SB 437 was introduced this year and currently awaits action on the Assembly Floor. They look forward to continued discussions with the Governor and his administration, and are confident that they will be able to address his concerns and form a partnership that will lead to covering all kids.

Thank you for your support and unwavering allegiance to ensure all California children have access to health insurance and an improved quality of life.

Here's what you can do to help:

• Call the Governor at 916-445-2841 to voice your disappointment that he vetoed AB 772 and AB 1199.
• Email the Governor at www.govmail.ca.gov
• Fax the Governor at 916-445-4633
• Send a letter to the Governor at:
  ÝÝÝÝÝÝGovernor Arnold Schwarzenegger
  ÝÝÝÝÝÝState Capitol Building
  ÝÝÝÝÝÝSacramento, CA 95814

You can also contact the authors of AB 772 and AB 1199 to thank them for their support:

• Assemblywoman Wilma Chan
  State Capitol Building, Room 6005
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  916-319-2016
• Assemblyman Dario Frommer
  State Capitol Building, Room 319
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  916-319-2043
• Senator Martha Escutia
  State Capitol Building, Room 5080
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  916-445-3090

You can visit the following websites to learn more about the effort to pass children's health insurance legislation in California:
http://www.100percentcampaign.org
http://www.picocalifornia.org Ý

Locate your legislators:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html