Zeno Swijtink
12-17-2007, 05:24 PM
Assembly passes health legislation
By Aurelio Rojas - [email protected]
Published 4:46 pm PST Monday, December 17, 2007
https://www.sacbee.com/111/story/574430.html
Landmark legislation that would provide coverage to most uninsured Californians cleared its first hurdle Monday when it was approved along party lines by the Democratic-controlled state Assembly.
The $14.4 billion health care reform plan has the support of Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, but will not become law this year because Sen. President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, wants to determine its impact on the state's $14 billion deficit before putting it to a vote of the Senate.
Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, D-Los Angeles, and the governor - who negotiated the plan - contend it will pay for pay for itself through proposed fees and taxes on employers, workers, the tobacco industry as well as more federal funds.
But Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines, R-Clovis, predicted voters will defeat the proposed fees at the ballot in November 2008.
Villines charged Monday's vote was intended to garner media attention for its political supporters, but will do nothing for uninsured Californians.
"I believe this is more (public relations) than it is policy," Villines said before the Assembly approved AB 1x on a 45-31 vote with no Republican support.
But Núñez predicted the legislation would ultimately provide medical care to 70 percent of the more than 5.4 Californians who are uninsured at a given time. An estimated 6.7 million people are uninsured during each year.
"Trust me, we're not doing this for a press release," Nunez told his colleagues.
By Aurelio Rojas - [email protected]
Published 4:46 pm PST Monday, December 17, 2007
https://www.sacbee.com/111/story/574430.html
Landmark legislation that would provide coverage to most uninsured Californians cleared its first hurdle Monday when it was approved along party lines by the Democratic-controlled state Assembly.
The $14.4 billion health care reform plan has the support of Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, but will not become law this year because Sen. President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, wants to determine its impact on the state's $14 billion deficit before putting it to a vote of the Senate.
Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, D-Los Angeles, and the governor - who negotiated the plan - contend it will pay for pay for itself through proposed fees and taxes on employers, workers, the tobacco industry as well as more federal funds.
But Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines, R-Clovis, predicted voters will defeat the proposed fees at the ballot in November 2008.
Villines charged Monday's vote was intended to garner media attention for its political supporters, but will do nothing for uninsured Californians.
"I believe this is more (public relations) than it is policy," Villines said before the Assembly approved AB 1x on a 45-31 vote with no Republican support.
But Núñez predicted the legislation would ultimately provide medical care to 70 percent of the more than 5.4 Californians who are uninsured at a given time. An estimated 6.7 million people are uninsured during each year.
"Trust me, we're not doing this for a press release," Nunez told his colleagues.