Atlas PUKED!!!
Posted on 11/08/2007 6:34:45 PM PST by NormsRevenge
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is moving toward a possible deal with Democrats on health care.
The two sides have compromised on key issues, such as how much employers should pay toward their workers' health coverage, although there is still significant distance between them when it comes to small businesses.
Movement came suddenly this week, after months of deadlock. On Monday, Democrats agreed to a requirement that all Californians obtain health insurance, the cornerstone of the reform plan Schwarzenegger unveiled in January.
But they put in an escape clause that would exempt those forced to spend more than 6.5 percent of their income on health care. Schwarzenegger is resisting that idea, although on Thursday he gave some ground on other issues, and Democrats said they were pleased.
"It is time to settle our remaining differences and get the job done," the Legislature's top Democratic leaders, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, said in a joint statement.
The two sides are trying to agree on a way to cover the 4.9 million people who have no insurance on any given day in California.
Both want to create a pay-or-play system for employers, requiring them to spend a set amount on health care or pay into a state-sponsored insurance pool that would offer policies to people below a certain income threshold.
The poorest of the uninsured would be eligible for expanded public health programs, such as Medi-Cal and Healthy Families. Those with higher incomes would get tax credits to make their premiums more affordable.
The key sticking point is how much small employers will be required to pay, and whether the state will be able to raise employers' obligation in future years if it needs more money to fund the program.
Both want a sliding scale for employers, but the Democrats' plan is crafted to make many more small businesses pay the maximum amount.
Democrats say firms with annual payrolls above $250,000 should pay their maximum: 6.5 percent. Schwarzenegger would only require firms with payrolls above $1 million to contribute his maximum: 5.5 percent.
Democrats also want higher tax credits to make insurance more affordable for middle-income earners. On Thursday, Schwarzenegger agreed to a tax credit for people earning up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level, about $41,000 for a single person and nearly $83,000 for a family of four. Democrats want to go to $46,000 for a single person and $93,000 for a family of four.
The two sides still disagree on some of the financing. More money is needed to fund the $14 billion plan, in addition to what employers, individuals, hospitals and the federal government will be asked to pay.
Schwarzenegger wants to raise it by leasing the lottery to a private firm, while Democrats want to raise the tobacco tax $2 a pack.
Even if the governor and the Democrats arrive at a deal, they will need voter approval to fund the plan. Both sides are aiming for the November 2008 ballot.
For this to work they will need 2/3 of both Houses, and they don’t have it and never will in the near future.
Atlas PUKED!!!
Take a look at Calling gas tax a 'fee' may help at ballot for the latest on how our elected geniuses are trying to pull the wool over our eyes.
Running at Full SPEND in a field of icebergs
Best news I've heard in a long time.
When half the state’s employers leave, that 6.5% will become 13% or more. We need more illegals. I hear they’re good for the economy.
This is the old plan that they have abandoned. They are aiming for putting this on the Nov., 2008 ballot which takes the legislature out of it. All they need is for the amendment to pass and the tax is in. This is the best environment they’ve ever had to push this through. I’m not worried yet as I have a small amount of faith left that we will once again vote this garbage down. The problems will start to become clear as they are forced to deal with the details and how all this will be implemented. Wait until they have to agree on the type of coverage offered in the so called pool. Little things like employees who have access to group insurance but with say a $80 per month employee contribution but who are also eligible for the pool. The list goes on.
If they are involving the Governor then that means they are looking to put it on the ballot legislatively with an SCA or ACA. In that case, they WILL need 2/3 of both houses which again, they don't have and won't have any time soon. If they were thinking about trying to qualify it with signatures, then there would be no "negotiations". They'd just draft it however they pleased.
The full text of the proposal is now on the Leg. Counsel’s site if anyone has the patience to read it.
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov./pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_0001-0050/abx1_1_bill_20071108_amended_asm_v98.html
Thank you sir! I will if I have enough reams of paper and ink cartridges!!!
And THIS, after increasing spending 40% in only the last 48 months!!!
(brought to you by ol 140% Schwartzenworsethandavis!!!)
Thanks!
I looked at it and my eyes crossed.
Do they free eye-care? ;-)
Yes the legisalture has the best eye care available - two free pairs of glasses or contacts per year. And I'd like to take this moment to thank you taxpayers for that nice benefit. Thanks not just from me, but my wife and kids too. I'll thank you all for the great dental plan some other time.
I feel numb these days. Let’s just hope they don’t get the votes (and that no one offers a term-limit change to have Arnie stay in office any longer).
BTW, I had fun today! I got a call from an NRCC fundraiser. First, I thought it was a poll because she said she was calling for “my opinion.” Boy did she get an earful! It went something like this:
HER: These are very challenging times we are facing. I’m sure you will agree with me that Hillary Clinton would be very dangerous - [I cut her off]
ME: Oh, Please! Questions like this are just insulting to the voting base. Aren’t there some issues that are more important than just constant derision of the opposite party—I mean, we do have a whole lot of things we could do better..... But, okay—back to your question (sorry I didn’t let you finish), but Yes—Hillary is evil, she’s a marxist, I believe the Clinton’s are corrupt and I don’t want to see them in the White House.
HER: Okay. Good. Now, I’m sure you will agree, with the Iowa Caucus coming up in just 2 months, that the WOT, improving the economy, and keeping Nancy Pelosi from....
ME: Stop it! There you go again with those questions... Pelosi. What about US? What are we going to do? You want folks to just sit back as Republicans give us Prescription Drug programs, Amnesty, No-Child-Left-Behind, Law of the Sea, Global Warming regulation? We’re not much better than the socialists the way we’ve been operating. And speaking of the Iowa Caucus, what is with the Iowa GOP limiting the candidates from the Debate? That is ridiculous. Frankly, I wouldn’t vote for any one of these 5 so-called “front runners.” Doesn’t the Republican Party have a message anymore? We can’t win on “better than Hillary.” I’m from California and I am sick to death of this party supporting folks like Arnold Schwarzenegger who is to the left of Al Gore.
HER: I appreciate what you are saying. It is nice to hear from good conservatives like you. Now, can we count on a small donation of $25....
ME: NO! Absolutely not! I will invest my money when I see a plan. I’m not going to throw any money at a committee that is wasting their time calling folks with talking points that are an insult to the intelligence of every conservative. Get a plan, present it, and if I believe it, maybe I’ll throw some money your way. In the meantime, I’ll continue to give to individual candidates that are worthy.
HER: Okay. Thank you for your time.
ME: Have a good weekend.
It was fun!!!!
LOL. I meant Arnie’s new free program. I’ll just set up one of those offshore Kennedy-like trusts and act like a pauper, then I can get all of the freebies, right?
BTW, your benefits aren’t freebies... I consider them compensation, just like any company. The so-called Public Safety employees and their enhanced pension plan, on the other hand, need to be slashed drastically.
Republicans are completely irrelevant in California.
Actually, not completely. See EGD's #2:
For this to work they will need 2/3 of both Houses, and they don’t have it and never will in the near future.
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