Health Care Deal Could Include Ballot Measure

Health care reform continues to be a moving ball. Everything seems to be on the table right now. Unfortunately an initiative to provide funding seems more likely than not. It is a significant risk to go to the ballot, but if it is the only way to ensure affordability, then so be it. Heavens knows the Republicans in the legislature are not interested in making that happen. SacBee:

The Los Angeles Times reported Saturday the Republican governor and Democratic speaker are fashioning a strategy to raise business and hospital taxes through a ballot measure and circumventing Republican lawmakers who oppose any new taxes.

Under the scenario outlined by the newspaper, the Democrats who control the Legislature would pass a bill that doesn't include funding for health care and ask voters to raise taxes.

I really should just leave Arnold's no new taxes pledge alone, but it amuses me to no end to see him breaking that. He seems to have come to the understanding that you have to have a way to pay for his policy goals. I know, complicated right?

Speaker Fabian Nunez has made it clear that they are not close to an agreement, quite yet, but they making headway. He has promised that he would not leave all of the funding on the ballot.

The speaker said Assembly Bill 8, which he put together with Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, would provide 75 percent of the money to cover the 6.7 million Californians without health insurance. Núñez said a possible ballot measure could provide the remaining 25 percent.

Schwarzenegger has said he will veto AB 8 because it would place the economic burden on employers. The governor believes costs should be shared by employers, employees, insurers and government.

Leaving all the financing to the ballot is not an option, said Núñez, D-Los Angeles.

"I'm not going to compromise to put all of the funding for AB 8 on the ballot and be left with a shell (bill)," Núñez said.

They are still leaving the possibility of holding a special session to iron out all of the details. That may be necessary since there are only 5 working days left, due in part to the Jewish High Holidays.