The Mendocino County Health Planning Council is sponsoring an educational meeting, Tuesday, on a bill currently in the state senate that would create a single-payer health care system in California.

Senate Bill 840, the California health insurance reliability act, was proposed by Senator Sheila Kuehl and would provide health insurance for all residents of California by funneling all health insurance payments through a single state agency.

Health Planning Council Nancy Nanna said the current system that involves many insurance companies is both inefficient and expensive. Massachusetts recently passed a similar law.

A panel of experts will be present at the meeting to speak on the many different aspects of healthcare.

"There will be many different viewpoints on the panel," Nanna said.

Several medical professionals will present different views on the healthcare bill during the meeting. Presenters include Mark LaRose, President and CEO of Ukiah Valley Medical Center, will speak to the financial impact of the bill on local healthcare. Ukiah physician Dr. Jim Katzel will talk about his experiences working in Canada where they have a similar health care system. Sara Rogers, health consultant from Kuehls office, will talk about the legislative aspects of the bill.

John Graham, Director of Health Care Studies at the Pacific Research Institute and Richard Ralston, President of Americans for free choice in medicine, will speak to problems with the bill.

Attendees are encouraged to bring questions and curiosity. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.

The meeting will be held from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m., Tuesday at the Ukiah City Council Chambers.