Shawnda Westly's guest appearances

Shawnda Westly

SacTown Talks

Capitol Weekly Podcast

John Kabateck

Carmela Coyle

Scott Lay

Dan Morain

Mike Madrid

Jim Cooper

David Quintana

Mike Gipson

Dan Walters

Mark Guillen

Jim Wunderman

John Howard

Kevin McCarty

Tom Umberg

Holly Mitchell

OwlTail

Today’s interview is with political consultant Shawnda Westly. She tells her heartbreaking story of medical malpractice and an in-depth look at California’s Medical Insurance Compensation Reform Act. MICRA limits the amount of money patients can receive in damages. She discusses how MICRA works, including some parts that are relatively unknown, why the laws should be changed, what type of resistance there is to change the law, and how monopoly power affects change. SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today’s interview is with political consultant Shawnda Westly. She tells her heartbreaking story of medical malpractice and an in-depth look at California’s Medical Insurance Compensation Reform Act. MICRA limits the amount of money patients can receive in damages. She discusses how MICRA works, including some parts that are relatively unknown, why the laws should be changed, what type of resistance there is to change the law, and how monopoly power affects change. SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Interview with Shawnda Westly

Shawnda Westly is a familiar figure in California politics. From 2009-2018 she served as executive director of the state Democratic Party and "right-hand" of then-Party leader John Burton, overseeing both campaign strategy and day-to-day operations of the party. Westly's tenure saw a massive expansion in Democratic representation in the legislature, with the party surging to supermajorities in both houses, and a concurrent boost in the stability of the organization itself, boasting stocked coffers and a new headquarters on S Street in Sacramento. In the midst of this professional triumph, however, Westly suffered a devastating personal tragedy. Five years ago this week, Westly found herself in a hospital emergency room with "the worst headache of [her] life." The doctor who examined her concluded that she was experiencing a migraine, prescribed some painkillers and sent her home. Within 48 hours, Westly suffered a stroke that threatened to derail her life. Westly faced a harrowing and uncertain recovery, with the very real prospect that she that might never be able to live on her own again. She was just 45 years old. Five years later, Westly's life is back on track - but it will never be the same. Shawnda spoke with John Howard and Tim Foster about that experience, and about the grim realization that she had - like many Americans - been the victim of a medical error.

Shawnda Westly is a familiar figure in California politics. From 2009-2018 she served as executive director of the state Democratic Party and "right-hand" of then-Party leader John Burton, overseeing both campaign strategy and day-to-day operations of the party. Westly's tenure saw a massive expansion in Democratic representation in the legislature, with the party surging to supermajorities in both houses, and a concurrent boost in the stability of the organization itself, boasting stocked coffers and a new headquarters on S Street in Sacramento. In the midst of this professional triumph, however, Westly suffered a devastating personal tragedy. Five years ago this week, Westly found herself in a hospital emergency room with "the worst headache of [her] life." The doctor who examined her concluded that she was experiencing a migraine, prescribed some painkillers and sent her home. Within 48 hours, Westly suffered a stroke that threatened to derail her life. Westly faced a harrowing and uncertain recovery, with the very real prospect that she that might never be able to live on her own again. She was just 45 years old. Five years later, Westly's life is back on track - but it will never be the same. Shawnda spoke with John Howard and Tim Foster about that experience, and about the grim realization that she had - like many Americans - been the victim of a medical error.

The Day That Everything Changed: Shawnda Westly