Santa Cruz 365 Event 

March 30, 2007

 

An overflow crowd of 300 filled the Veteran’s Memorial Hall on March 30, as the HCA Santa Cruz held its 365 Event.  The crowd was  a very diverse group of  young, middle -aged and elderly people with  quite a few  who came in wheel chairs. The event had been widely advertised in local papers, on the radio, and in the newsletters of our 40 plus endorsing organizations.  OneCareNow banners  and those of other endorsing organizations hung on the walls of the hall.  Tables around the room held petitions, membership forms, information about SB 840, as well as buttons and bumper stickers.  Note cards were distributed inside the programs handed out at the door so that the audience could write questions as it occurred to them.  These questions will be answered on our website:  www. healthcaresc. org. 

 

Since the CAT team’s purpose was to inform and educate, four speakers were chosen.  Beginning with a proclamation from the City read by the Mayor Emily Reilly, Nettie Hoge, Lt. Gov. Garamendi’s health care specialist, was the first speaker.  She described the bill in some detail and talked about what led up to it.  Neal Coonerty, a local book store owner and member of the Board of Superivsors explained the current problems businesses are having providing health insurance for themselves and their employees.  He described how SB 840 would be a  good answer to those priblems.  Fred Keeley, former Assemblymember and speaker pro-tem’ and now the County Treasurer, talked about the need for SB840 and how it would effect County Government.  The last speaker was the Reverend Deborah Johnson who spoke about the moral demands on the communities to provide  individual and public health.  

 

Presiding over the meeting was Carol Robertson, Chair of our HCA and an HCA Director.  Both at the beginning and the end of the meeting she made strong ‘pitches’ for everyone to join, and become involved in this grass movement which is gaining speed every day.  At the close of the meeting many people stopped at the tables  to learn more. 

***Check Out Some Photos***

Greater Santa Cruz Federation of Teachers, Population Connection

One Care Now, League of Women Workers, Democratic Women's Club

 

Carol Robertson, Chair of Health Care For All Santa Cruz County Chapter

 

Crowd

Nettie Hoge, Lt. Gov. Garamendi's Health Care Specialist

Neal Coonerty, Santa Cruz County Supervisor