Los Angeles musician creates ‘Schoolhouse Rock!’-inspired songs promoting the Healthy California Act SB 562
LOS ANGELES, CA (June 20, 2017) — Today Healthy California launched first in a series of “Schoolhouse Rock!”-inspired music videos created by a Los Angeles musician in support of the Healthy California SB 562, a bill that will create a single-payer system that guarantees healthcare for all Californians.
Created by Los Angeles composer and lyricist Clifford J. Tasner, a member of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47, the retro-themed video titled “Middleman” points out the flaws of our broken healthcare system by taking aim at greedy health insurance companies responsible for the rising cost of medical care. SB 562 would create a “Medicare for All” system in that includes medical, dental, vision, reproductive, and mental health for all Californians.
“Health insurance companies are likely to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on deceptive advertising to defeat this bill which would provide healthcare to every Californian for less money, but would cut into the billions of dollars in profits these companies make off of us,” Tasner said. “We have to find creative ways to educated and inoculate Californians against these ads. I recalled how powerful a tool ‘Schoolhouse Rock!’ was at educating me when I was a kid.”
Healthy California, AFM Local 47 and the California Nurses Association sponsored the professional recording session which features top Hollywood session musicians and SAG-AFTRA vocalists. The video link can be found at www.healthycaliforniaact.org/guaranteed-healthcare-rocks.
Healthy California comprises more than 6 million Californians building a statewide movement to win guaranteed healthcare for all California residents. It represents over 350 community and labor organizations — including every American Federation of Musicians Local in the state — nurses, teachers, patients, doctors, union members, business leaders, faith and immigrant rights communities, progressive political organizations, and healthcare advocates and providers.
SB 562 was introduced by Senators Ricardo Lara (Bell Gardens) and Toni Atkins (San Diego) in February. The bill passed the California Senate on May 31, moving it to the Assembly for a vote this summer.
“Middleman” features AFM Local 47 musicians Phil Feather on alto sax, Mike Nelson on tenor sax, Peter Olstad on trumpet, John Grab on trombone, Johann Frank on guitar, David Arana on piano, Mike Valerio on bass, Chris Wabich on drums, and SAG-AFTRA vocalists Jason Paige, Holly Pitrago, and Christy Crowl.
