CAHU Endorses Proposition 11-California Voters First Initiative

Public Affairs Bulletin
MD Sam Smith, Vice President, Public Affairs

CAHU Endorses Proposition 11

July 26, 2008

For more than a decade, the California Association of Health Underwriters has worked to establish itself as a relevant, strong and respected participant in California political arena. This effort has been made in preparation for the day when our association and its membership would need their voices heard and their opinions valued in the final health care debate. That day is here. The time is now.

Of the greatest challenges we face, a legislature paralyzed by political polarization is among the greatest. For years, a system that allows the legislators themselves to define their own districts so as to guarantee their reelection, has deprived Californians of a real voice and true accountability with their elected officials. To end the stalemate in Sacramento and to make possible a legislature that will answer to the whole of California, the Board of Directors of the California Association of Health Underwriters has voted to endorse Proposition 11, the California Voters First Initiative, on the November 4th ballot.

The California Association of Health Underwriters has made passage of Proposition 11 one of its highest priorities. To that end, CAHU will enlist the grassroots power of its 15 local chapters and more than 2,500 members across the state to embark on a campaign to educate, inform and get out the vote.

Beginning immediately, the leadership in each local chapter will be asked to:

1. Educate their local members
2. Reach out to their member’s clients
3. Inform their local communities

CAHU, in cooperation with the “Yes on Proposition 11” campaign has developed a full array of educational materials, background information and research to help each chapter develop their own strategy to secure the vote in their local area. Through the local legislative and media chairs, information and materials will be distributed to each chapter, including PowerPoint presentations for local Chambers of Commerce and civic groups. In conjunction with the campaign, CAHU members will be invited to participate in speaker training programs across the state to give members the background and confidence to speak with authority on this issue.

CAHU has been challenged to play a major role in this campaign. We welcome that challenge! Without a more balanced and more accountable legislature to work with, we will be faced with a sempiternal assault on the private/public health care partnership that we believe in.

This is the beginning of the final health care debate. Your commitment is needed here. Your commitment is needed now.

Please be watching the CAHU Public Affairs Blog as we roll out this important campaign!

Sam Smith
CAHU, VP Public Affairs