Onwards and Upwards: Health Care Reform

Ok. The budget is done. Now to pivot on to the next big debate: health care reform. It has been put on the back-burner while the Senate Republicans threw their temper tantrum. Now it should emerge as the main topic of discussion, a place it held prior to the budget impasse. Here is the latest on what has been going on.

AB8, the Democratic plan, has been undergoing some work under the hood. Several amendments will hopefully be made to increase the affordability of health care, among those include a prescription dug purchasing pool that will have about 3-4 million participants. That will make it 2-3x larger than CalPERS. There is also talk of creating a public insurance program that everyone will be able to participate in. This is similar to a few of the Democratic presidential contenders plans to ensure there is an affordable option for health insurance for all residents. These amendments will be considered in hearings over the next few weeks.

Remember that AB8 is designed to pass on a majority vote and land on the governor's desk. It will not be subject to a two-thirds vote and thus will not require any Republican support. Arnold's plan, which never came together as detailed legislation would require a 2/3rds vote.

Right now, organizations are working to maintain pressure on legislators to enact a reform bill. Thus far, few of them have endorsed AB8 and have been working behind the scenes to improve it from its initial form. Naturally, Blue Cross and others are trying to stall that effort. Its OUR Health Care just went up with two ads, below the fold that are airing in Sacramento. They have also produced print ads targeting individual legislators. Calls are going into offices and letters are being written to the editors. The campaign is in full swing and there is not much time until the legislature is out of session.

"It's Time"

"Affordability"