The Time is Now to Influence

Health Care Reform

This is a critical time to influence health care reform legislation.  Letters need to go out in the next week to to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Senate leader Don Perata, and Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez urging them to ensure that the proposed $52 million for obesity prevention is included in the state budget, and that prevention is a significant aspect of any health care reform legislation.

Click here for sample letters.

The Strategic Alliance supports the creation of local assistance grants for community makeovers, which would provide a unique resource to improve access to healthy food and physical activity opportunities.  These funds should be directed to supporting communities with the greatest needs especially communities of color and communities with disproportionately high rates of poverty.

As the legislature develops a concrete plan for providing all Californians with high-quality, culturally competent care, devoting resources towards prevention is the best prescription for reducing overall demand and future expenditures for health care services. Currently, 60% of health care expenditures in California go to treat individuals with multiple chronic conditions including diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and asthma. Good nutrition and regular physical activity, along with not smoking, can go a long way towards preventing these diseases and reducing health care needs of those who already have them.

Click here for a sample letter that you can send to Governor Schwarzenegger.

Click here for a sample letter that you can modify and send to Senator Perata, Assemblymember Núñez, and your own representatives.

Addresses:

Senator President pro Tem Don Perata

Fax: (916) 327-1997

State Capitol, Room 205
Sacramento, CA 95814

Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez

Fax: (916) 319-2146

State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0046

WHAT IS THE STRATEGIC ALLIANCE?

The Strategic Alliance is reframing the debate on nutrition and physical activity away from a focus on individual choice and lifestyle towards one of environment and corporate and government responsibility. Current Steering Committee members are: California Adolescent Nutrition and Fitness Program (CANFit), California Center for Public Health Advocacy, California Food Policy Advocates, California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, California Parks and Recreation Society, California Project LEAN, California WIC Association, Child Care Food Program Roundtable, Latino Health Access, Partnership for the Public's Health, Prevention Institute, Samuels & Associates and YMCA of the East Bay.

HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER

The Strategic Alliance is currently engaged in building a broad and diverse statewide membership. To join or for more information, please visit us on the Web, www.eatbettermovemore.org, or contact Sana Chehimi at 510.444.7738 or Sana@preventioninstitute.org. And even if you're already a member, please forward this message on to your colleagues so we can continue to strengthen our coalition. Thank you!

The Strategic Alliance is reframing the debate on nutrition and physical activity--from a focus on individual choice and lifestyle, towards one of environment and corporate and government responsibility.

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