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