From: Ellen McCormick Date: Mon, 28 Jul 1997 17:05:05 Subject: CA: Action Alert - AB 1059 (Migden) July 28, 1997 Contact: Ellen McCormick, Legislative Advocate LIFE: CA's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and HIV/AIDS Lobby ACTION ALERT: LETTERS, FAXES, PHONE CALLS AND E-MAIL MESSAGES NEEDED IN SUPPORT OF AB 1059! AB 1059, by Assembly Member Carole Migden will allow employers the option of providing domestic partner health care coverage to their employees. This bill is pending before the full Senate Floor. Please write, fax, call or e-mail your Senator immediately! This bill may be heard as early as Thursday (07/31/97) and as late as early September. Senators that especially need lobbying: Senators Costa (D - Fresno) and Ayala (D - Chino). All Senators can be written to at the following address: The Honorable (Name) State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814 For phone and fax numbers consult your local telephone directory (Government pages in front) - or go to . E-mail addresses have been included at the end of this message. - SAMPLE LETTER - The Honorable Bill Lockyer President pro Tempore, California State Senate State Capitol, Room 205 Sacramento, CA 95814 Re: Assembly Bill 1059 (Migden) Health coverage: domestic partners. SUPPORT Dear Senator Lockyer, I am writing to express my support for AB 1059 by Assembly Member Migden. This measure would require health care service plans (Health Maintenance Organizations, for example) to provide domestic partner coverage options as they provide spousal coverage options to contracting employers. Current law requires health care service plans to provide coverage for certain health benefits and services to employers. Under AB 1059, health care service plans that offer employee spousal health coverage options must also offer employee domestic partner health coverage options. In practical terms, AB 1059 allows employers contracting with a health care service plan to offer coverage - if they so choose - to an employee(s) domestic partner. In no way is AB 1059 a mandate on employers to offer domestic partner coverage to their employees. AB 1059 simply allows an employer the option of making domestic partner coverage available to its employees through the employer's chosen health care service plan. Currently, many large businesses have the ability to negotiate directly with their health care service plans and receive domestic partner health coverage for their employees. Yet, many small businesses that wish to offer domestic partner benefits find their hands tied because their health service plan will not allow coverage. Thus, the employer is not able to provide for their employees as they choose to. AB 1059 is beneficial to all parties involved. Health care service plans will expand their insured base and employers will have the option of providing domestic partner health coverage to their employees. AB 1059 is a fair measure that allows employers to decide what is best for their own company. I strongly urge your "aye" vote on AB 1059. Sincerely, CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE E-MAIL ADDRESSES (NO PARTICULAR ORDER): Senator William "Pete" Knight (R) ; Senator Diane Watson (D) ; Senator Tim Leslie (R) ; Senator Teresa Hughes (D) ; Senator Steve Peace (D) ; Senator Rob Hurtt (R) ; Senator Richard Mountjoy (R) ; Senator Ray Haynes (R) ; Senator Ruben Ayala (R) ; Senator Quentin L. Kopp (Ind) ; Senator Pat Johnston (D) ; Senator Maurice Johannessen (R) ; Senator Leroy Greene (D) ; Senator Ken Maddy (R) ; Senator John Vasconcellos (D) ; Senator John L. Lewis (R) ; Senator Jack O'Connell (D) ; Senator Herschel Rosenthal (D) ; Senator Dick Monteith (R) ; Senator David Kelley (R) ; Senator Cathie Wright (R) ; Senator Charles Calderon (D) ; Senator Byron Sher (D) ; Senator Bruce McPherson (R) ; Senator Bill Lockyer (D) ; Senator James Brulte (R) ; Senator Dede Alpert (D) ; Senator Adam Schiff (D) ; Senator Betty Karnette (D) Senator Mike Thompson (D) Senator John Burton (D) - no e-mail address Senator Jim Costa (D) - no e-mail address Senator William Craven (R) Senator Ralph Dills (D) - no e-mail address Senator Tom Hayden (D) Senator Ross Johnson (R) - no e-mail address Senator Barbara Lee (D) - no e-mail address Senator Richard Polanco (D) Senator Richard Rainey (R) - no e-mail address Senator Hilda Solis (D) - no e-mail address This message has been brought to you by LIFE: California's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and HIV/AIDS Lobby. LIFE has been lobbying on behalf of California's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and HIV-affected communities since 1986. LIFE is the oldest and largest institution representing these communities in California's State Capitol and is proud to celebrate over a decade of service. If you would like further information about LIFE activities, events or membership please contact our office at: LIFE: California's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and HIV/AIDS Lobby 926 J Street, Suite 522 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 444-0424 Fax (916) 444-3059