Proposition 86: An Initiative to Secure Health Insurance for
California Children
On November 7 Proposition 86 was defeated in California by a 4.2%
margin. Proposition 86 sought to achieve several important public
health goals, including expanding health insurance to all children in
California, by increasing the state's cigarette tax by $2.60 per
pack. Sponsoring oganizations, with The Children's Partnership,
included: American Cancer Society, American Heart Association,
American Lung Association, Campaign for Tobacco Free
Kids, California Hospital Association, California Primary Care
Association, Children Now and PICO California.
Why an Initiative?
The Children's Partnership works to ensure that children have access to
affordable, comprehensive health insurance. To reach this goal, TCP,
with the 100% Campaign and PICO California, sponsored California
legislation (AB 772 and AB 1199) that would implement a policy to cover
all children. Although Governor Schwarzenegger supported the goal of
the bills, he vetoed the legislation primarily because of
funding concerns.
The Governor's support for covering all children but the
continued lack of a funding source led us to the initiative
process. We believe that a ballot initiative was the most
strategic avenue to securing the dollars needed to provide coverage to
all California children.
NEXT STEPS
Although the initiative was not approved, it helped build public
visability and a broad base of support for children's health coverage in
California. With our partners, The Children's Partnership will utilize
this support to advocate the Legislature and Administration to make good
on providing health insurance to all of California's children.
Check back for updates on these efforts, or visit the 100%
Campaign's Web site.
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