Candidate for
Supervisor; County of Alameda; Supervisorial District 2

In her first term the Assembly, Ms. Figueroa delivered nine bills to the Governor's desk, all of which were signed into law -- the highest percentage of any freshman legislator. She consistently carried legislation that demonstrates her dedication to serving the needs of her constituents-improving access to and the quality of health care, streamlining business regulations, and protecting consumers. Ms. Figueroa worked with the White House on landmark legislation that ensured a two-day hospital stay for mothers and their newborns, a bill that mirrored a successful California law Ms. Figueroa authored. In 1997, Ms. Figueroa co-chaired the conference committee that drafted California's Healthy Families program, which provides health insurance for the children of the working poor. Her work on behalf of women and human rights has gained international recognition. This includes such important issues as outlawing female genital mutilation, banning California's use of products made by slave labor, and prohibiting insurance companies from discriminating against victims of domestic violence.

As a Senator, Ms. Figueroa was a leader in the high profile fight to reform managed care in California. Governor Gray Davis characterized her bill giving patients the right to sue their HMO as the "crown jewel" in the HMO reform package, and signed into law more HMO reform bills authored by Ms. Figueroa than by any other legislator. In addition, Ms. Figueroa's bill to protect the privacy of patient medical records makes California the nation's leader in guaranteeing confidential medical information is not abused by HMO's for any purpose not directly related to health care. Other legislation authored by Ms. Figueroa compelled insurance companies to replace child safety seats damaged in a collision, restricted false and misleading advertising for cosmetic surgery advertisements, and secured funding for the 410 mile-long San Francisco Bay Trail.

(reposted from the 2010 website of the California State Board Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board)