GOVERNOR'S WEEKLY RADIO ADDRESS as printed in the The Capitol Morning Report

July 25, 2007

Contact: Aaron McLear 916 445 4571

Hi, this is Sylvia Reyes, filling in for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger with this week's California Report. I own a small business in Sacramento and on Thursday the Governor and a group of working Californians came to my home to discuss the problem of job lock in our broken health care system. Job lock occurs when people are forced to make job and life decisions based only on health insurance. It holds back careers, delays retirements for older workers and stifles the entrepreneurial spirit that is a hallmark of the American way of life.

At our meeting, a woman with Lupus named Jennifer talked about having to take a job as a school district book clerk only for the coverage it provided. And there was Mary who has considered giving up the business she owns because she just had a baby and worries about the rising costs of healthcare. I faced a dilemma over health care costs nine years ago when I decided to start my business. And as President of the Sacramento Chapter of the National Latina Business Women Association I have heard many similar stories from business owners around the state. National studies say that more than one-quarter of Americans report that they or an immediate family member have encountered job lock. And health care experts in California say it is the same in our state.

The Governor's health care plan would end job lock and remove this obstacle to small business innovation and peace of mind. His reforms would make health care affordable and accessible for everyone. If people want to take a better job, start a business or retire they would have all the available options because they wouldn't have to fear losing their health insurance. As the Governor said, "People should be free to follow their hearts and their dreams when it
comes to building a career not having to worry about health coverage." I completely agree and I want to thank the Governor for allowing me to share this message.

On behalf of Governor Schwarzenegger,

I'm Sylvia Reyes. Thank you for listening.