Posted on 01/09/2007 9:03:44 AM PST by shrinkermd
...But it may be a little early for this cliche. Schwarzenegger's plan is ambitious in scope and laudable in its goals, especially in its coverage for all children, including children of illegal immigrants. But the plan has a substantial chunk of devil before you even reach the details.
The problem is this: It makes no sense to legally and permanently make Californians' access to healthcare dependent on their employers. Companies hire workers and pay them for their time, talent, muscle and brains. Employers must meet certain standards to do business in the state — complying with workplace safety laws, paying the minimum wage, providing workers' compensation insurance, etc. But they should not become the primary mechanism for the state to deliver vital services to citizens.
This is more true here than elsewhere because so many Californians who need insurance have only marginal or temporary relationships with employers. Companies, meanwhile, face plenty of challenges just staying in business and keeping up with the dynamics of the modern marketplace without being saddled with a new health insurance tax.
And make no mistake, it is a tax. Employers currently have the option of offering health insurance to entice workers, but they are not required to do so. Under Schwarzenegger's proposal, every business with 10 or more employees that does not offer workers health insurance would have to pay 4% of its payroll into a state fund. And like most employer taxes, workers ultimately will pay it — in the form of lower wages or lost jobs.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
A good editorial. The LAT and their leftists views have brought about a disaster brought about by a "moderate" Republican governor.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
4% of payroll is pretty cheap for health insurance cost to a company.
Look for lots of companies to stop offering health insurance to workers and pay the 4%.
Look for more companies with less than 10 employees.
You get what you incentivize.
Good job Ahnold.
most republicans are capitalists until it comes to health care...then it's ok to be socialists.
This a-hole also wants to ban insurers from refusing to offer coverage to some individuals because of their prior medical conditions. Insurers would also have to spend at least 85% of their premium revenues on patient care, a move that would limit the amount companies spend on administrative costs and profits. Yes, all of you FReepers that still today think that he is better than getting behind a true conservative you got your wish. You can take the California GOP & shove them. The gall of calling him a republican, the stupidity of republicans voting for him is sickening.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
The 4& is a starting point. You know that's how gov taxes work. Included Schwarzenegger would tax doctors 2% of their gross revenue and place a 4% tax on hospitals. Are ya getting the picture?
Right On! These same ones will continue to erode any change of conservatism coming back to this state with their logic or lack of.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Since Arnold is so gung ho on helping people and making sure that everyone has the same access, lets make access to the criminal legal system. As soon as you are charged with a crime, you cannot hire your own attorney, but must use one provided by the State (the same people that are charging you) because some people have no access to legal counsel and some can afford to spend huge amounts (OJ) and get off.
We need to place this in the same context as medical care and see how fast attorney's bail.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
I like your idea, but from what I've seen, 3/4 of people do that anyway.
I don't believe the Times has a problem with the idea. Just the method. Read the second to last paragraph. "Who should be taxed? Shouldn't we all?"
Arnold is like Hillary on steroids.
Like Hillary on steroids.
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