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Senate panel OKs universal health care bill [California]
Stockton Record | May 8, 2003 | Will Shuck
SACRAMENTO -- California inched toward Canadian-style universal health care Wednesday when a key committee approved a bill that would gather every Californian into a government-financed health system.
Under the plan, which the author acknowledges faces an uncertain future, even those who have health care now would stop paying premiums and start paying taxes toward a single-payer system.
The government would not provide health services but would handle the payment of all medical bills.
Backers say the hefty buying power of the nation's most populace state would force significant discounts in premiums and prescription medication, resulting in savings for all. Moreover, by granting preventive and routine medical care, it would improve overall health in the state and reduce the burden on California's strained emergency rooms.
"In the end, it's going to look even better than people think," said state Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, the author of Senate Bill 921.
Opponents say big savings probably won't materialize and that most Californians will end up waiting in long lines for compromised care. They say the tax-reliant nature of the plan could cripple the economy.
"The cost is going to far exceed anything that's been estimated," said Willie Washington of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, warning of "uncontrollable costs."
Others warned of "$66 billion in new taxes," a figure that Kuehl called "bogus" and insisted, "They pulled it out of the air."
Several Democratic senators said they want universal health care, whether it comes from Kuehl's bill or not.
"I not sure how far this bill will go, but I think the message will resonate," said Sen. Richard Alarcon, D-Van Nuys. "But if I'm going to err, it's going to be on the side of affirmative action for universal health care for all. I support this bill and anything like it."
Sen. John Vasconcellos, D-Santa Clara, said he was determined to provide universal care in California, a personal goal before he leaves office next year because of term limits.
But Richard Costigan of the California Chamber of Commerce warned of such sweeping reform if financed largely by business payroll taxes.
"You're not going to swell the ranks of the insured," he said. "You're going to swell the ranks of the unemployed."
Kuehl removed the tax component from her bill until state tax experts can determine what rate would be required to pay for the program. She has estimated about 2 percent of an employee's pay and 5 percent to 6 percent of an employer's payroll will be needed, along with surcharges on cigarettes and alcohol.
Removing the tax element reduces the number of votes required to pass it out of the Senate. She said she expects the going to get tough in the Assembly when she reinserts the taxing portion and it becomes a bill that requires at least some Republican votes.
The Senate health committee Wednesday also passed a less ambitious measure that would force employers to either provide health coverage to their workers or pay into a state fund that would do so on their behalf.
The bill received similar support from union and health-care advocacy groups and drew similar opposition from the business community.
Though it would not provide health care to unemployed Californians, as is the case with the universal plan, backers say it could reduce by one-third the number of uninsured Californians.
There are an estimated 7 million people without health insurance in California. About 150,000 of them live in San Joaquin County. Nearly 80 percent of the nation's uninsured have jobs.
Stockton Record | May 8, 2003 | Will Shuck
SACRAMENTO -- California inched toward Canadian-style universal health care Wednesday when a key committee approved a bill that would gather every Californian into a government-financed health system.
Under the plan, which the author acknowledges faces an uncertain future, even those who have health care now would stop paying premiums and start paying taxes toward a single-payer system.
The government would not provide health services but would handle the payment of all medical bills.
Backers say the hefty buying power of the nation's most populace state would force significant discounts in premiums and prescription medication, resulting in savings for all. Moreover, by granting preventive and routine medical care, it would improve overall health in the state and reduce the burden on California's strained emergency rooms.
"In the end, it's going to look even better than people think," said state Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, the author of Senate Bill 921.
Opponents say big savings probably won't materialize and that most Californians will end up waiting in long lines for compromised care. They say the tax-reliant nature of the plan could cripple the economy.
"The cost is going to far exceed anything that's been estimated," said Willie Washington of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, warning of "uncontrollable costs."
Others warned of "$66 billion in new taxes," a figure that Kuehl called "bogus" and insisted, "They pulled it out of the air."
Several Democratic senators said they want universal health care, whether it comes from Kuehl's bill or not.
"I not sure how far this bill will go, but I think the message will resonate," said Sen. Richard Alarcon, D-Van Nuys. "But if I'm going to err, it's going to be on the side of affirmative action for universal health care for all. I support this bill and anything like it."
Sen. John Vasconcellos, D-Santa Clara, said he was determined to provide universal care in California, a personal goal before he leaves office next year because of term limits.
But Richard Costigan of the California Chamber of Commerce warned of such sweeping reform if financed largely by business payroll taxes.
"You're not going to swell the ranks of the insured," he said. "You're going to swell the ranks of the unemployed."
Kuehl removed the tax component from her bill until state tax experts can determine what rate would be required to pay for the program. She has estimated about 2 percent of an employee's pay and 5 percent to 6 percent of an employer's payroll will be needed, along with surcharges on cigarettes and alcohol.
Removing the tax element reduces the number of votes required to pass it out of the Senate. She said she expects the going to get tough in the Assembly when she reinserts the taxing portion and it becomes a bill that requires at least some Republican votes.
The Senate health committee Wednesday also passed a less ambitious measure that would force employers to either provide health coverage to their workers or pay into a state fund that would do so on their behalf.
The bill received similar support from union and health-care advocacy groups and drew similar opposition from the business community.
Though it would not provide health care to unemployed Californians, as is the case with the universal plan, backers say it could reduce by one-third the number of uninsured Californians.
There are an estimated 7 million people without health insurance in California. About 150,000 of them live in San Joaquin County. Nearly 80 percent of the nation's uninsured have jobs.
