The Problems:

• In Riverside:
  
  In 2005, an estimated 72,000 (14%) of children in Riverside County were without some form of health insurance for all or part of the year. 

• In California:
  
  Nearly seven million Californians (over 18%) lack health insurance during all or part of the year. 70% of these have jobs, pay taxes and support their families, but do not receive employer-based insurance. Millions more Californians are underinsured.
  
  10% of California’s children are uninsured; 71% of these children are in families where the head of household works full time all year.
  
  Job-based health insurance, the foundation of coverage for the non-elderly population, has declined, falling from 56.4% in 2001 to 54.3% in 2005.

• In the United States:
  
  Job-based health insurance, the foundation of coverage for the non-elderly population, has declined, falling from 56.4% in 2001 to 54.3% in 2005.
  
  According to the Census Bureau, 47 million people -- 15.8% of the total U.S. population -- were uninsured in 2006. Another 50 million more are under-insured.
  
  Health insurance premiums have risen 4 times faster than wages over the past 6 years.
  
  Last year two million Americans – 75% of whom had health insurance – were forced to declare personal bankruptcy because of their medical bills.
  
  Lack of health insurance leads to 18,000 unnecessary deaths each year and is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.

Bill Hedrick`s Solutions:

Comprehensive Health Coverage.  Health Insurance coverage is eroding because the costs for businesses and workers are out of control. I will work diligently to ensure that all Americans have quality, comprehensive health coverage with a strong focus on preventive care.  It`s time for a change!

Portable Health Insurance.  Employees must not be shackled to a job just because they will lose coverage if they move to a new workplace.   It`s time for a change!

Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions.  Group and individual health plans must not exclude coverage because of pre-existing conditions.   It`s time for a change!

Lower Prescription Drug Prices.  Negotiation must be used to reduce the cost of prescription medications.  It`s time for a change!