Posted on 01/23/2008 11:46:57 AM PST by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO - The sweeping health care package backed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders faces a do-or-die vote in a Senate committee today amid signs of fraying support among Democrats - and an explosive new report warning that the plan could be billions of dollars in the red within years.
In a best-case scenario, the plan's revenues would cover its costs in the first year, Legislative Analyst Elizabeth Hill wrote in her review released Tuesday evening. However, by the fifth year, she estimates the program's annual costs would exceed revenues by $300 million.
If health care premiums were to exceed the $250 a person level that proponents estimate by an additional $50 per person, Hill wrote, the deficit could reach nearly $4 billion by the fifth year.
Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, D-Los Angeles, downplayed the findings, noting that any health care plan carries major risks and arguing that Hill's report highlights all of them, regardless of how likely they might be.
"Our job now is to move forward with bringing California closer to the goal of universal coverage and to work hard to avoid, contain and manage any realistic fiscal risks associated with the plan," said Núñez spokesman Steve Maviglio, in a statement. ...
The health care plan aims to extend insurance to roughly 70 percent of the state's uninsured population by expanding government health programs, forcing businesses to provide coverage to workers or pay a fee to the state, and imposing new taxes on hospitals and tobacco. If the proposal wins the support of the Legislature, voters would have to approve a ballot initiative in November in order for it to become law. Supporters are facing a tougher-than-expected challenge getting the $14.4 billion plan through the Democrat-controlled Senate. ...
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
an explosive new report warning that the plan could be billions of dollars in the red within years weeks.
In a best-case scenario, the plan's revenues would cover its costs in the first year month, Legislative Analyst Elizabeth Hill wrote in her review released Tuesday evening.
However, by the fifth year, she estimates the program's annual costs would exceed revenues by $300 million $300 trillion.
If Arnold needs to hold a telethon to raise some money he can count on me pitching in 2 pesos for the cause.
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/capitolalertlatest/010135.html
Senate vote on health plan postponed until Monday
The Senate Health Committee [at the request of Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata] will postpone a vote on a measure to overhaul health care in California, Sen. Sheila Kuehl announced this afternoon, as the marathon hearing heads into its sixth hour.
...
The fate of the measure, AB X1 1, which was negotiated by Assembly Democrats and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, has hung in the balance after Sen. Leland Yee, a San Francisco Democrat, announced Tuesday he would oppose the measure.
Yee’s opposition, combined with that of Kuehl, leaves the bill at least one vote shy of passage in the 11-member committee. With six votes needed, only five Democrats have not announced their opposition. None of the four GOP members have openly supported the measure.
.. In an interview with the San Jose Mercury News, Perata said Wednesday he would not stack the health committee to get the bill out, as has been rumored around the building.
...Perata himself sounded a pessimistic tone about the fate of the measure, which would provide health insurance for 70 percent of uninsured Californians.
“When people are losing their homes, losing their jobs, losing their net worth, we need not appear insensitive and out of touch with those realities,” Perata told the Merc’s Mike Zapler. “You don’t instill public confidence by doing things that people don’t understand and they don’t think is a high priority. And I don’t think anybody right now believes anything (is more important) right now but the economy, economy, the economy.”
teeter teeter teeter...
Schwarzenegger health reform teeters in key committee
By LAURA KURTZMAN AP
http://www.bakersfield.com/119/story/342970.html
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s push to overhaul California’s health care system faced stiff resistance Wednesday from Democratic lawmakers who shrank from the proposal as the state’s nonpartisan analyst warned it could cost far more than expected.
Did you get the Capitol Alert on Arnie’s buddy Burton? What next?
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/capitolalertlatest/010146.html
I saw a report earlier and posted a piece from the Mercury.
I missed that one. I’ll look.
With regard to this healthcare thing, it seems so odd that Perata is sounding like the fiscal conservative.
Okay... maybe not conservative. Fiscally responsible, maybe.
Trust me, I’m honest
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/capitolalertlatest/010139.html
— Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says he hasn’t sold out and doesn’t give favors to donors. How do you know? You just have to trust him based on what you see of him on television, he suggested Wednesday. Kevin Yamamura SacBee Capitol Alert
*-?
That’s just Burton being Burton. He used to talk like that from the Senate rostrum. If that woman thinks she’s special she’s dreaming, or just trying to get some money.
Of course he deserves it because he and his colleagues passed all those stupid “sue your boss” laws.
Sweet justice. ;)
You keep reassuring me on this monster, but I’ve still got my fingers, toes and especially my legs crossed! Arnold is finally feeding my level of disdain so much fertilizer that it’s almost reaching the Earl Warren level!!! (speaking of sacks full of natural organic fertilizer... she-it!!!)
"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
"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
It died... or entered suspended animation. There weren’t enough votes to get it out of committee, so it’s being held there for the time being.
New thread:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1961031/posts
Schwarzenegger’s Universal Healthcare Scheme Defeated in Committee [CA]
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