California Association of Health UnderwritersOperation Drumbeat FAQ
Q1. What is Operation Drumbeat?
A. Operation Drumbeat is CAHU’s grassroots campaign to get the California Legislature to delay a vote on Assembly Bill 8 until it can be amended. Legislative Leaders have said they hope to bring the bill to a vote this year before the Legislature adjourns on September 14th. Our concern is that this does not give lawmakers enough time to consider and make the necessary changes.
Q2. Why shouldn’t the Legislature pass something now and amend it later?
A. That’s a bad way to make law because once legislation is signed into law, changing it may not be possible for a variety of reasons. For example, other issues may grab the Legislature’s attention once they pass a bill which is intended to “solve” a problem. The challenge here, however, is that if AB 8 is passed as is, it will make California’s health insurance system worse, not better.
Q3. So how does Operation Drumbeat work?
A. CAHU has identified 40 key legislators. We are asking our members and their clients, colleagues, families and friends, to contact these legislators at least once a week between now and September 14th to request that they urge their legislative leaders to delay a vote on AB 8 until the bill is amended. All that’s required is going to www.CAHUHealthySolutions.org, click on the “Take Action” tab and then click on the “Generate emails to key legislators” link.
Q4. Am I sending messages to all 40 key legislators or just to my legislator?
A. When you click on the “Generate emails to key legislators” link emails are sent to all 40 key legislators. You’ll receive a copy of the email with a list of who it was sent to.
Q5. I live in the district of a key legislator. Is there more I can do?
A. Absolutely. If CAHU knows your home address and can identify you as being a constituent of a key legislator, you’ll be asked to go a step further. You’ll receive a special email with draft letters addressed to your legislator(s). You’ll be able to print out these letters and copy them onto your stationery and mail them to your lawmakers. You’ll also receive hard copies of the sample letter in the mail in case that is easier for you to use.
Q6. Should I contact my own legislators even if they’re not on the Key Legislator list?
A. By all means. Sending your own legislators an email or letter asking them to help delay a vote on AB 8 can only help. Simply click on “Sample letters to legislators” link, download the sample letter, and address it to your lawmakers.
Q7. How do I find out who my legislators are?
A. Click here and enter your address (or, cut and paste the following URL into your browser: http://192.234.213.69/smapsearch/framepage.asp
Q8. Will these key legislators pay attention to an email from me – a non-constituent?
A. While legislators pay more attention to constituents. But by generating hundreds of messages to these key legislators we hope they will realize health care reform is too important to California to be done hastily. By speaking together with one voice legislators will listen.
Q9. I sent an email last week. Why am I being asked to do so again?
A. The impact of Operation Drumbeat lies in the number of messages a legislator will receive and how often they receive our messages. Repetition will drive the point home. The first message described in broad terms several ways the unintended consequences of AB 8 could do damage to California. Subsequent letters focus on a particular consequence and goes more deeply into the issues involved. This approach not only reinforces the reasons for delaying a vote on the AB 8 until it can be amended, but begins educating lawmakers on the reasons behind the changes CAHU will be seeking.
Have more questions? Please send them to info@cahuhealthysolutions.org