California's largest health foundation has launched a $6 million ad campaign that calls on lawmakers to reform the state's troubled healthcare system this year. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.
The California Endowment TV ad shows people languishing in an emergency room, and says ER waiting times are getting longer. It shows a sad-faced couple, and says health care costs cause half of all bankruptcies in the state. And then it asks, what are lawmakers waiting for?
Paul Hernandez is the endowment's director of public affairs.
Hernandez : Our campaign is not meant to define or to tell the legislature or the governor what health reform should look like. I think what we're basically trying to say is: it's needed, it's necessary, and we have an opportunity, and let's make it happen.
Healthcare reform is in limbo right now because of the state budget impasse. Even so, Hernandez argues there's no excuse not to get something done this year.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
