SB 562 has been crafted to provide a single high standard of safe, therapeutic care for all California residents in a manner that is financially sustainable:

• A payroll and income premium, which is higher for upper income earners, would replace insurance company premiums, co-pays and deductibles—likely resulting in significant out-of-pocket net savings.

• Choose any provider. No more surprise bills. No out-of-pocket costs for covered services.

• Eliminates co-pays for Medicare Part B.

• Lower prescription drug costs.

• Regional planning to reduce overlap and duplication of expensive equipment and facilities.

• Provider rates will be negotiated to ensure access, cost control and high-value services.

• The advances from the Affordable Care Act will be folded into the new system.

• Huge cost-savings from reduced bureaucracy. No more insurance company runaround. No more bill collectors.

• Diverse participants including ordinary citizens and representatives of labor and business, as well as various health care professionals and health policy experts, will advise and help design the Healthy California program.

With the federal government again doing healthcare reform, moving more responsibility for healthcare to the states, it’s imperative that California establish a better, truly universal system, which finally gets costs under control. The Golden State can set the standard for the country by implementing a just and equitable healthcare system — Healthy California!