CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE REFORM. WHERE NEXT?

New West Notes ^ | 08-29-2007 | Bill Bradley

[Amerigomag]

Not surprisingly, as has been previously discussed on New West Notes, Republican legislators have no intention of voting for fees or taxes or whatever one wants to call them on businesses and medical providers to finance universal health care in California. That was reported first yesterday on New West Notes after Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Democratic and Republican legislative leaders held their “Big 5” meeting. Meanwhile, the Census Bureau reports that 20% of Californians have no health insurance. When they get sick and get health care, we nonetheless pay for it through emergency rooms.

If there is to be a dramatic expansion of health coverage in the Golden State, unless Schwarzenegger has a great trick up his sleeve, it will be done with legislation that requires only a majority vote of the Legislature. The first half of Schwarzenegger’s funding plan, the employer mandate that can be satisfied if the employer does not provide health insurance by paying an in lieu fee, requires only a majority vote, as the history of John Burton’s SB 2 shows. (It was enacted in 2003 and knocked out very narrowly by referendum in November 2004 only following Schwarzenegger’s late intervention against it.) But the Legislature’s lawyers say that his fee on medical providers requires a two-thirds vote as a tax. So that is the question. Is that assessment correct? If so, only some version of the Democrats’ plan, which is not universal and does not have the medical provider fee, is doable.

[Amerigomag]

Seems a waste to finance legislatures when pivotal decisions are judicial. At least the taxpayers are only indirectly gratifying the European liberal who is sheparding this pack of morons.

[goldstategop]

It'll be litigated in the courts if a majority vote fee passes. In any case Red Arnold has threatened to veto a Democratic bill. Unless there's a last minute compromise, I think its tolls the bells for Austrosocialism in California for this year.

"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

[EagleUSA]

The ultimate in socialism that will DRIVE BUSINESSES OUT OF CALIFORNIA at an even faster rate than the tax-and-spend socialists are already accomplishing that.

These leftist morons are nuts. 20% of Californians have no health insurance because almost 20% of Californians are illegal aliens, and the cost of medicine in California is totally out of control.

I wonder if these governmental geniuses ever thought about working with the medical industry in California to reduce the COST OF MEDICINE in the state??? No....just taxing the state economy OUT OF EXISTENCE is easier....but, then, who will pay for all the socialism???

It does not work, it will not work, it never has worked -—

[goldstategop]

Agreed. What the Democrats really want is single payer but the Governor wants his own plan and so far the CAGOP is an immovable roadblock to creating yet another multi-billion dollar entitlement when the state is looking at a budget deficit of the same magnitude by year's end.

"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

[backtothestreets]

It would be refreshing if California took the most positive steps possible to increase the size of medical schools and medical professionals they train, reduce stress on hospital emergency rooms by making a doctor’s referral necessary, except in catastrophic circumstances, and establish fair limits on malpractice claims.

Increasing the number of doctors would reduce demand, lower costs, and reduce the number of people that rely on health insurance to meet medical costs. Once affordable medical is restored through free market supply and demand, most people would find the only health insurance they might consider is for catastrophic care. These policies are very affordable, starting at about $25.00 a month for young adults.

A decade or two back, the number of medical schools in the USA was dramatically reduced. In response we have had to rely on more foreign trained doctors to fill the need. It was a government undertaking, although I have forgotten the specifics. What we are really dealing with is government centralized planned medical care that has already failed. Further expanding government centralized medical care is the wrong prescription.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Meanwhile, the Census Bureau reports that 20% of Californians have no health insurance. When they get sick and get health care, we nonetheless pay for it through emergency rooms.

How many are illegal?

How many are independently wealthy and don't need it?

How many are just irresponsible?

How many slip through the cracks not qualifying due to preexisting conditions or inaffordibility (the working poor)?

Treatment needs to be targeted towards the last group. The first three don't need it.

[lbjgal]

Well...in CA we conservatives have no true choice...we’re out numbered in thought and in vote. As a state California is very different in thought from the days of Reagan... Comprimises have to be made....There’s no way out...changing people’s minds include enforcing our own laws and spending the tax payers’ money within a budget...Nobody wants to be the “NO Person”....that includes us the voters. Being “the NO Person” alllows others to paint us in an evil light....For explample Family Has NO HealthCare although it may not be the government’s fault. We want to be the hero and make sure everyone has the exact same thing although not everyone desires the same thing.....People get tired of believeing in things that make them look bad ...it’s easy to be the “Yes Person” and “Pay Later.”...Think about it’s like us and how we deal with our children even in the candy section of the store.