Posted on 08/25/2007 10:50:05 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has cited Massachusetts as an example while pursuing sweeping changes in California's health care system.
But he points to the Bay State more for its political success in forging a broad coalition to achieve a major goal than as a practical blueprint for health care in California.
The differences between the two states are dramatic. Massachusetts had a far lower percentage of its residents uninsured than California does – 13 percent compared with 21 percent.
For each uninsured resident, Massachusetts already spent four to six times more than California does, according to a California HealthCare Foundation study. Because of that, Massachusetts didn't have to find as much new money as California will to enact a comparable plan.
In addition, Massachusetts has a heavily regulated insurance market that requires carriers to cover everyone regardless of pre-existing medical conditions. California generally allows insurance companies to pick and choose whom they want to insure.
Finally, the Massachusetts plan's burden on businesses is far less than the two leading California proposals.
Massachusetts requires businesses with more than 10 workers who don't cover their employees to pay $295 per year for each worker.
Schwarzenegger has proposed a fee of 4 percent of payroll on certain businesses who don't cover their workers, while the Democrats have legislation that calls for a 7.5 percent fee.
Like a freight train. It’s coming.
13 percent vs 21 percent. Just send the crimaliens home and your problem is solved...in both states.
Nationalized healthcare, one state at a time.
If socialism and Gubmint control is so great,why are the citizens fleeing from both MA and CA in droves?
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Okay, so let each coast have one giant parasite magnet.
One socialist reviewing the other socialist's health care plan.
Says it all about Romney and his political ideology.
They left something out. Massachusetts doesn’t have 5 million illegal aliens.
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