Crossroads/Health Care

More than 6.5 million California residents have no health insurance, and improving their access to coverage, and to health care, will be one of the top issues for state policymakers in 2007. At Crossroads -- the Sacramento Bee's new place for discussions on public policy and politics -- we have gathered about a dozen key players from the health care field for a conversation on the future of health care in California. Our participants include company executives, doctors, a nursing union rep, academics and activists. They all bring their own biases, experiences, perspectives, and in some cases, economic interests to the table. Sacramento Bee columnist Daniel Weintraub is moderating what we expect to be a spirited yet civil discussion among our panel members. But the panel's thoughts are only the beginning. We want and need you to join the conversation. Please share your ideas and opinions by using this comments form.

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January 30, 2008

Jim Knight on the defeat of AB 1X 1

From Dr. James Knight in San Diego:

The pretext for Democratic No votes on ABX1 1 in the senate health care subcommittee was a concern for the cost of the government programs at a time when the state is facing both an economic slowdown and a ballooning deficit.

Yet 16 months earlier, these same legislators, in particular Ms. Kuehl, strongly supported a bill that would have created a government-run, single payer health care system (SB 840) that would have cost at least $100 billion per year at today's prices.

While a convenient pretext, the reality is that Democrats believe that with near complete control of both the senate and the assembly now for as far as the eye can see, the chances are good that they will soon be able to pass single-payer legislation under a Democrat governor with a 2/3rds majority in both houses.

Rather than allow legislation that takes them further away from their goal of socializing medicine, they will instead impair or kill any market-based alternatives until they can achieve two-thirds majority control of the California legislature and compel whatever plan they want under a Democratic governor.

Many feel that this may be the year to achieve the 2/3rds majority with the Republican party both in disarray and disfavor.

Posted by dweintraub at 08:50 AM | Comments

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