SACRAMENTO—Speaker Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles) today told children’s advocates and families he predicts Assembly Bill 1x1 providing comprehensive health care coverage for all children will likely be passed by the California Senate and ultimately signed by the Governor.

The Senate Health Committee will hold a hearing on AB 1x1 Wednesday at the Capitol. Speaker Núñez said the health care reform legislation will likely make it out of the Senate Health Committee tomorrow, out of the Senate and on to the Governor’s desk.

“This is a Democratic bill and I believe it warrants the type of Democratic support that can be championed by people that truly believe in Democratic values,” Speaker Núñez said. “I’m confident that the bill Senator Perata and I drafted and negotiated with the Governor will get the approval necessary to get out of the Senate Health Committee Wednesday and out of the Senate floor.”

Surrounded by children’s advocates and families at a Capitol press conference sponsored by Californians For Healthy Kids, Speaker Núñez said this is an historic chance to cover the 800,000 California children who don’t have insurance. The California Assembly passed AB1x1 in December 2007 on a 46 to 31 vote.

Here are links to audio of Speaker Fabian Núñez at today’s press conference:

Speaker Fabian Núñez says health care reform is a contest between progress and the status quo.

Speaker Fabian Núñez says AB1X is an historic opportunity to help millions of Californians.

Speaker Fabian Núñez says now is the time to heal the wounded health care system.

Speaker Fabian Núñez says AB1X will not impact the state’s budget deficit.

Speaker Fabian Núñez closed his news conference opening comments by quoting a statement from three former Directors of the Department of Health Services.