California Assembly passes bill to provide universal health care

[Omaha Steve]

FULL story: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/northern_california/15384057.htm



California Assembly passes bill to provide universal health care
ROBIN HINDERY
Associated Press

SACRAMENTO - The Assembly narrowly approved a bill Monday that would provide health insurance to all residents, a move that would make California the only state to offer government-operated universal health care.

The bill, which passed the 80-member house on a largely party-line vote of 43-30, received strong Democratic backing. But supporters say pressure from the insurance industry and Republican lawmakers is likely to doom the measure when it reaches Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The governor's office has declined to take a position on the bill, but Schwarzenegger in the past has voiced his opposition to single-payer systems.

The bill by Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, must be approved by the state Senate before it heads to the governor's desk. It would provide every California resident with health insurance through a system controlled by a newly created entity called the California Health Insurance Agency.

[bemildred]

1. Good. Make Ahnuld veto it. nt

[Benhurst]

2. But .. But ... But ... How can The World's Only Superpower afford

health care for its people. Where will the money for bombs come from?

[KansDem]

17. "$6,000,000,000 a month!" "$6,000,000,000 a month!"...

Repeat this over and over when confronted with the "But this will cost too much!" crowd. It's what we spend each month in Iraq. Or "$200,000,000 a day" if you prefer...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11880954/

[EVDebs]

18. SB840 estimated to save the state $8 billion

"" SB 840 provides a concrete plan for covering every California resident with comprehensive health insurance, saves the state of California, businesses and working families nearly $8 billion in the first year, and guarantees our right to choose our own doctor. The bill will now return to the State Senate for concurrence and is expected to reach the Governor‚s desk by September 1st.

SB 840 provides comprehensive medical, dental, vision, hospitalization and prescription drug coverage to every California resident. This broad coverage is made possible through a streamlined claims and reimbursement system that is projected to save billions of dollars in administrative costs. SB 840 allows California to use its purchasing power to negotiate bulk rates for prescription drugs and durable medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, thus realizing an additional $2 billion in savings, SB 840 preserves the status of healthcare providers, hospitals and pharmacies as private, competitive businesses.""

from

Healthcare for all
http://www.healthcareforall.org/kuehl.html

We can't afford to NOT pass SB840 ! Progressives have the economic argument this time around...and commonsense on our side. Let's run with the ball now that we have it, Dems ! (based on old football saying, When you've got the ball, run with it).

Ahnold vetoes this bill at his peril. I gladly give this thread another vote for 'greatest page'.

KICK IT !

[Benhurst]

19. ...

:thumbsup:

[Skink]

3. Maybe Arnold will support it...

could be his ticket to the White House.

[raccoon]

11. Ahnold can't be president because he was born in a foreign

country. Unless the Constitution is amended.

[slackmaster]

14. Yes, the 63rd Amendment

Mentioned in the movie Demolition Man.

[CollegeDUer]

4. It's a step in the right direction -- but will Arnold veto away?

California has often lead the nation and has a great chance to do so here. Too bad they found having a Terminator as Governor so appealing...

[shanti]

6. we don't

:( so quit saying that.

[Der Blaue Engel]

7. Thank you

:banghead:

[goclark]

8. Thank you for telling the world that We hate him

with a passion.

I don't know where this new DIEBOLD numbers came from , Arnold 53%!

The fix is in. :puke:

[mojavekid]

13. ..

n/t

[stopbush]

5. Since when does 60% equal "narrowly approved?"

The media sucks.

[drm604]

9. Any idea what the chances are of this getting past the senate?

Which party controls the CA Senate?

[shanti]

10. the dems

n/t.

[mikelgb]

12. lol Chia-Health

CHIA

[caligirl]

15. time for democrats to put some hard hitting ads on air, republicans

don't want to help the people of this country, just themselves and their cronies. Arnold could hurt the GOP by voting against this and if he does, nail him to the wall with it. Nail Bush to the wall now and stick Arnold right up next to him. Katrina victims lost jobs lost health insurance, can't get their meds can't see a doctor. We are one earthquake or tsunami away from that reality and Arnold isn't serious about helping anyone but his business friends.

[UDenver20]

16. VERY BUSINESS FRIENDLY...

smart