[sourcery]

California faces a deficit of as much as $14 billion, and Perata says it would be a mistake to create a new health care program with existing health programs potentially on the chopping block.

Ya think?

[NormsRevenge]

California health care reform plan at a glance
AP

http://www.bakersfield.com/119/story/313467.html

Highlights of the $14.4 billion Health Care Security and Cost Reduction Act, passed Monday by the state Assembly and sent to the Senate. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger supports the bill:

- Requires most Californians to have health coverage and creates a state purchasing pool that lawmakers say will provide affordable policies.

- Guarantees that no residents will be denied health insurance based on their age or medical history.

- Limits the amount Californians will contribute toward the cost of their premiums based on their income; provides tax credits and subsidies for individuals, families and early retirees.

- Allows people to apply for an exemption from the individual insurance mandate if they claim that buying a health policy would be a financial hardship.

- Does not change health coverage for those who currently have insurance and want to keep it.

- Increases Medi-Cal reimbursements to doctors and hospitals.

- Requires health plans and insurers to offer benefits packages rewarding those who meet certain health goals as a way to combat obesity, diabetes and other conditions.

- Will be funded with $4.5 billion from the federal government; $2.5 billion from employer contributions; $2.3 billion from a 4 percent fee assessed on hospitals; $2.1 billion from individuals; $1.5 billion from county and other funds; $1.5 billion from a tobacco tax increase of $1.50 to $2 per pack.

[backtothestreets]

"Senate Democratic leader Don Perata is refusing to bring the measure to a vote until more is known about how it would affect the state's already-grim finances."

Let's see:

The plan would add a new $1.50 to $2.00 tax on cigarettes that would have more people quitting cigarettes, which in turn would create a loss of funding, which in turn would make the state borrow more.

Impose a new tax on hospitals, which coincidentally are filing bankruptcy at a new high rate in the state.

Impose a new payroll tax on employers amid a heavily regulated and taxed business climate that has businesses seeking ways to relocate to other states or move their operations out of the country all together.

A state budget crisis that grows at least $2 billion dollars a month.

How might the plan affect the "state's already-grim finances". Gee, I wonder?

[TASMANIANRED]

In hock up to their eye balls and then want to spend more.

[Syntyr]

What loones!!!

Pretty soon California is going to be just like any other Mexico resort town. Wealthy tourists being waited on by everyone else working service oriented jobs...

[goldstategop]

The CAGOP voted NO to the ArnoldCare boondoggle. I think its safe to say it won't make out of the State Senate this year.

"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

[socialismisinsidious]

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