We are delighted,
ecstatic, overjoyed, etc. to report
that our sponsored bill, AB 1745,
passed with overwhelming support at
yesterday's [June 7, 2006] Senate Health Committee
hearing! The final vote was 9-0 with
every member of the committee voting
"aye" in support! Next stop
Appropriations Committee, followed
by the floor of the Senate, back to
the floor of the Assembly and then
on to the Governor's desk.
We met with
key Republican members of the Senate
Health a few weeks ago, but up until
the vote was taken we did not have a
firm commitment that the Republicans
were going to vote for the bill.
Our board
member, Actress Melissa Gilbert did
a fabulous job at the hearing in
sharing her personal experience
working with children in need of
pediatric hospice and palliative
care services. She was even moved to
tears during her testimony and there
was not a dry eye in the house. One
could hear a pin drop in the hearing
room during her remarks. Shannon
Snow, the Nick Snow's mother, also
did a great job in sharing her
story. Several others testified in
support for us, including the Dustin
Meraz's brother and mother , the
family of Nick Snow, Jessica (a
cancer patient) and other advocates.
There was no opposition.
We were also
able to arrange for Dept. of Health
spokesperson, Jennifer Kent, to
testify at the hearing that she was
"working with us", a strong and
well-received show of support.
After the
hearing, we met with the top three
legislative deputies to the
Governor, as well as the Governor's
Special Advisor, Bonnie Reiss, to
discuss the bill. The Governor's
office appears committed to working
with us on the measure. They even
committed to helping us with the
Dept. of Finance in keeping the
costs to the bill at a minimum in
preparation for the upcoming Senate
Appropriations Committee hearing.
This is all extremely positive for
us.
We want to
thank all of you for your support,
as well, in helping to move AB 1745
forward in the CA State Legislature!
We will keep you posted.
- by Devon and Lori, June 8, 2006
Children's Hospice and
Palliative Care Coalition
