Dear PERK Members,
We sent out a final coalition letter regarding SB 1377 (Jones) to the Senate Health Committee Chair. We must make it clear that we are only proceeding with approved and directed actions directly received from the office of the senators. This bill would not be possible without Senator Brian Jones and the bipartisan support from co-authors Senator Cortese and Senator Allen.
At the direction of the Senators themselves and their teams, they informed us and gave us the direction to give you the update on the reconsideration. What we were instructed to share is that the bill has been eligible for reconsideration since last week, which the Senators have been working on. Eligibility means that the bill can be brought back for a revote at the next Senate Health Committee hearing. Though there are concerns about the timing and deadlines, the push for SB 1377 was still there.
Regardless, we must keep faith and tenacity, no matter what the outcome is this week. The Senators will let us know of the outcome per their direction.
There are three functioning purposes of the coalition letter.
First, the coalition letter sent to the Chair was to reaffirm the request for reconsideration of SB 1377, per the directive we received.
Second, another purpose, as stated in the letter, is to show the broader need and request for further conversations in the future on this issue with a representation of all organizations united in that ask. Over the past few days, we were told it’s important to send it out to show a broader coalition not only for the present but for the future. We are working with people and groups who do not agree with each other on everything but have the same unified goal for medical freedom.
Third, the coalition of organizations shows diversity across many industries and walks of life, sending a signal to the Chair and the other Senators that we are a united front in addressing these real problems. We are reinforcing, we are not going away, and we are available and willing to discuss the issues.. This also hits concerns in confidential conversations.
The letter states, “On behalf of our respective coalition of organizations in support of SB 1377, we represent physicians, surgeons, healthcare professionals, firefighters, first responders, veterans, military, parents, children, businesses, moms across America, advocacy organizations, and concerned families and citizens across California, united… As a coalition, we view the bill as a solution that would restore fairness, protect physician judgment, remove the chilling effect upon doctors, defend children’s access to education and medical care, and provide better accessibility to those who rely on medical exemptions. There is a greater conversation that we desire to have which will demonstrate the unintended consequences we are seeing in people’s everyday lives.”
Stay informed. But, rest assured, this is just the beginning of good things to come in California.
Sincerely,
Amy Bohn
Co-Founder and CEO
Coalition Letter
