Posted on 12/18/2007 12:09:43 PM PST by goldstategop
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez are probably still in the Governor's cigar tent this morning, puffing away on stogies to celebrate the Assembly's 45-31 vote yesterday in favor of their compromise health insurance “reform” bill. It was by far the pair's top goal for 2007. Schwarzenegger desperately wants another fix of national media attention after taking a yearlong victory lap for the state's landmark greenhouse gas emissions law in 2006. Núñez was deeply envious and wants his turn in the spotlight.
The result of this desperation has been a farce masquerading as a public debate. No hearings were ever held on the vast evidence that it is illegal under federal law for a state to mandate that employers provide health benefits. Nor were hearings held on how Massachusetts' reform plan has fared or on a dozen other obvious questions.
Instead, the only fight all year has been over how to resolve the differences between Schwarzenegger's more ambitious, complex plan and Núñez's simpler version.
Thankfully, the Assembly vote yesterday may not be replicated any time soon in the Senate. Don Perata, the powerful Senate President, says the Legislature must be cautious about adopting a health plan that could make the state's $14 billion deficit even worse.
Don, what took you so long?
If he is skeptical about the flimsy claims that the state could take a huge new role in health care without increasing spending, why didn't he bring it up long ago? It's a crucial question – whatever the size of the deficit.
Nevertheless, we welcome Perata's call to have the Legislative Analyst's Office examine whether the plan to increase the number of Californians covered by health insurance is truly revenue neutral. The LAO number-crunching should not be limited to a close look at the increase in federal aid that's supposedly forthcoming or the money that could be generated with an increase in the state's cigarette tax. It should also include an analysis of what would happen if the state gives private employers an incentive to drop their own coverage by allowing them to pay a relatively small fee to use the state's health insurance program.
You don't need an economics degree to understand that many, perhaps most, California businesses that spend 13 percent or so of payroll on health benefits would jump at the chance to instead pay a 6.5 percent in-lieu fee to the state. You would then have hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of Californians enrolled in a state insurance program that they would reasonably expect to be every bit as good as their old private plan – but the state would have half as much money to provide coverage as the former private insurer did.
If the state reduces coverage or rations care to cover this funding gap, the backlash would be huge. Politically speaking, the only remedy to the problem would be ever-growing state subsidies.
Unfortunately, instead of considering the likely result of the Governor's and the Speaker's health proposals, most of the Legislature (and the media) have kept busy applauding their good intentions.
That's no way to run a state. Here's hoping Perata's burst of common sense finally gives California the full health reform debate it has needed all along.
"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
Actually, they had a hearing... yesterday. Some hearing!
You can look for Perata’s concerns to disappear shortly after the Governor’s budget speech in January. I’d anticipate the Senate will take action on the bill in February. The real remaining question is whether the voting public will fall for it.
If a liberal is in CYA mode, you know it’s a bad piece of legislation.
"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
"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
MASSCare is alrady becoming an uncontrollable nightmare, with those under $29.600 looking at having to MANDATORIALY pay 1/4 to 1/3 of thier income for healthcare!!
regardless, He still owes us a perp walk. (Are you listening DoJ?) ;-)
"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
bump
Even a cursory review of the history of big government programs teaches that the total costs of this program are being understated by a magnitude of 10 to 20.
"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
Even if the Senate companion passed, the governor couldn't sign a compromise into law. Because taxation is involved, the proposal must be approved by either a super majority of the legislature or a simple majority of the electorate. This measure is a referendum.
Does the referendum have a chance? Absolutely! The principle beneficiaries of this referendum, Mexican nationals and their anchor babies, will support this in a heart beat, AS LONG AS SOMEONE ELSE'S MONEY PAYS FO R IT!
I don’t understand. How can Mass do it, and it’s illegal in CA ?
A few years back, when I was writing a column on the legislature, I floated the idea of catastrophic care insurance, based on the model of state disability coverage. It’d have a five grand deductable, be purchased by the state from private insurers, and funded by a small employee/employer tax in the same way that disability is funded now. It was incredibly cheap to do, addressed the real issue of concern to the majority of Californians by assuring that no worker would be wiped out by a major illness or accident, and left the market for dollar one services absolutely free. It was even ‘sellable’ to the legislature’s conservatives because something was going to pass, and everything else was worse.
It got nowhere.
Too simple, I guess.
Interesting discussion on a Universal Health Care plan in action:
To All Gold State GOPers: You are welcome in Nevada. I will get you your own GOP Congressman and at least one GOP US Senator. And I can even get you GOP elected officials from your dog catcher all the way up to the White House.
I’ll promise you lower taxes, more freedom, less crime and less traffic. Live in a larger, nicer house for a lower price and have a better quality of life.
Come on over and help us continue to turn Nevada into a redder and redder state. Email me privately and I’ll help you transition and show you why Republicans are happier here in the Silver State.
Right ON, Norm!!! Pistol packin Perata bein frog-marched... “UP AGAINST THE WALL AND SPREAD ‘EM!!!”
Bump!
"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
"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
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