Sacramento-- Annelle Grajeda, President of Service Employees International Union California State Council, issued the following response to the State of California's decision to fine Anthem Blue Cross $10 million for rescission of health care coverage to thousands of California policyholders. SEIU represents more than 700,000 health care and service workers across California.
"Today's news reminds us once again that our health care system is broken.
Far too many Californians lack access to affordable health care coverage and medical care. At the same time, people who have health care coverage are too often in danger of losing it.
The solution is real, comprehensive health care reform, and it is long overdue. SEIU is proud to have stood with a broad and diverse coalition of organizations, members of the legislature, and the Governor to support a comprehensive healthcare reform package earlier this year. That plan would have ensured every Californian guaranteed access to coverage and no one would lose their health care.
We look forward to getting back to the table with providers, lawmakers, consumer groups and others to pass a comprehensive health care reform plan.
But first, we urge the Legislature to protect our health care from harmful budget cuts. Lawmakers must resolve the budget mess without jeopardizing our health care. We need to fix our healthcare problems, not make them worse."
###
SEIU is the largest union in California. Made up of more than 700,000 health care professionals, public service providers and service workers, dedicated to protecting and strengthening California’s communities.