| > back | Bishop's Statements Bishop Calls for State Attention to Health Needs Bishop Patrick J. McGrath addressed the PACT press conference, May 2, 2000, at Santa Clara County government headquarters, regarding the needs of health care for the uninsured, and supported PACT’s recommendation to use tobacco settlement funds. He said: We have a crisis on our hands—a crisis in the state’s health care. In some neighborhoods of our valley, 45 percent of people have no health insurance. This translates to thousands of people, mostly children and adults with jobs, who have no health insurance. I am shocked that families who have a “head of the household” who is working full time are not automatically covered by insurance. This is a scandal. This is just not acceptable! People have a right to have adequate health care. Money is available to solve the problem, from the state’s budget surplus and especially from the tobacco master settlement—a billion dollars a year for 25 years to California. We now have the opportunity and the ability to provide affordable health care coverage and accessible facilities for everyone in the state with the use of the tobacco money. It is as simple as that. Let’s do it! Like other states, we must use this money to improve health care and not just add the funds to the state’s general fund. PACT has other plans for this money—plans that help families, where it is needed. This is one of the wealthiest regions in the state. This scandal in health care accessibility must be solved. It can be solved if the state legislators act. They must act, and they must act now! |
