I think there have only been a couple of posts here about the single-payor universal health coverage bill in CA. Passed by both state senate and assembly, it awaits the governor's signature. The expectation is that Schwartzy will not sign it.
One of those posts here dismissed this bill on the grounds that the democratic candidate for governor is also opposed to it, as if, ergo, this bill is so flawed that even a "liberal" can't swallow it.
Let's be clear about something here. Angelides is a corporate democrat just like so many others, promoted by the state party over the insurgent(though imperfect) candidacy of Steve Westly. He'll be a Feinstein democrat if he wins, just as Arnold is now trying to be a Feinstein democrat himself.
Since Angelides has publicly stated his opposition to this bill, state dems will not be able to make any hay about Arnold vetoing a health care bill in an election year. So why did the legislature pass it so decisively? Because it makes sense. Well, it makes sense to alot of people except the insurance industry--who are dragging out every hackneyed knee-jerk argument against it that we've heard a hundred times. Why? Well, of course, because it's their bread and butter. They are complaining, as usual, about an "expensive government bureaucracy" when in fact the health insurance industry bureaucratic overhead(30%) far exceeds that of medicare(5%).
The main problem with any state trying to implement a single payor system is that congress has to be convinced to give that state whatever federal funds they already get in order to help finance it. In California, with those funds and a 7% payroll tax and a 3% income tax hike, the entire program could be financed. Take away health care premiums, deductibles and co-payments and all workers would end up with MORE money than they take home now. But congress, of course, and Angelides I might add, is in the pocket of the insurance industry.
The other boon to health care of this whole program would be the standardization of all forms, authorization procedures, billing, payments and accounting--an enormous improvement in provider efficiency.
So before you dump on this idea just because a "democrat" is against it, check which democrat that is and why. |
