Wednesday, 7 November 2007
California Making Progress In Healthcare Reform
Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger are coming closer to an agreement in how to bring universal health care and system reform to the state, reported the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Núñez, a Democrat, recently introduced a plan that would increase state tobacco taxes $1.13 per pack and require most residents obtain health coverage. State Democrats had previously been against a health insurance mandate as Schwarzenegger proposed, because they thought it would force many middle and low-income residents to buy expensive coverage.
But Núñez’s new plan would exempt families whose insurance costs would be more than 6.5 percent of their annual income.
The tobacco tax increase would need to be approved by public vote, but Núñez says it is a popular idea among residents.
“[The tobacco tax increase] passes the litmus test with voters,” said Núñez.
Governor Schwarzenegger opposes the tax increase, but may be willing to compromise. Schwarzenegger proposed to lease the state lottery to a private firm to pay for his health care plan — an idea rejected by the Democrats.
The governor and the Democrats do agree on some things — both plans from Núñez and Schwarzenegger include an increased hospital tax and requiring businesses who do not provide health insurance to pay a certain amount of their payrolls to help pay for their employees’ coverage.
Schwarzenegger said Núñez’s plan was a “positive movement.”
It’s a sign that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are willing to negotiate to bring health care reform to the state’s system by the years end.
“We look forward to seeing details of the proposal but understand there are still issues to be resolved,” said the governor’s press secretary, Aaron McLear.
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