SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim) is a co-author of the comprehensive healthcare reform legislation that was approved by the State Assembly and Senate yesterday.  The bill will now be sent to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for his consideration.      

“This is a historic moment in California’s history.  This landmark legislation provides for shared responsibility between employers, employees and, where necessary, the state,” said Assemblyman Solorio.  Assemblyman Solorio is a co-author of the measure, has helped promote the bill at community forums, and sent out a mailer in support of the bill.   

The healthcare reform legislation, AB 8, is authored by Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles) and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland).  AB 8 passed the Assembly 45-31 and the Senate 22-17.  The bill would expand health insurance to more than two-thirds of Californians now uninsured.  AB 8 would also insure all children and significantly improve existing cost control mechanisms.  The bill would require most employers to offer health insurance to their employees or contribute to a collective state pool for the uninsured.

“There is no good reason why Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger should not sign AB 8 into law,” said Assemblyman Solorio.  The historic healthcare reform legislation, debated for nine months and subjected to numerous committee hearings, has the support of a wide ranging group of labor organizations and children’s healthcare advocates.

Assemblyman Jose Solorio represents the Sixty-Ninth Assembly District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana.  He is also the Chair of the Assembly Public Safety Committee.  For more information about Assemblyman Solorio, you can visit www.assembly.ca.gov/solorio.