BILL NUMBER: SB 1440 VETOED DATE: 09/30/2008 To the Members of the California State Senate: I am returning Senate Bill 1440 without my signature. This bill represents exactly what I did not want to see this year - a one-sided, piecemeal approach to health care reform. Californians deserve a financially sustainable and comprehensive health care reform plan that promotes prevention; shares responsibility between individuals, employers, providers and government; covers all Californians; contains cost; and keeps our emergency rooms open and operating. My comprehensive health care reform contained a similar provision to what is proposed in this bill. However, my plan also contained a great deal more. I cannot support individual reform efforts that do not include the other essential components. Taken in its isolated and singular fashion, this bill may weaken our already-broken system. For these reasons, I am unable to sign this bill. Sincerely, Arnold Schwarzenegger