Schwarzenegger Calls for Universal Coverage

Laura Kurtzman, AP, 12/9

To succeed with his plan to extend health care to 6.5 million uninsured Californians, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will have to find common ground between groups that often are at odds.
Union leaders quickly balked at a requirement that all Californians have insurance, calling it a tax on the middle class. A demand that allbut the smallest businesses offer their workers insurance upset many of Schwarzenegger's business allies.
"I look forward to everyone now having those debates," Schwarzenegger said via videolink to a panel of health care stakeholders who assembled Monday to hear his plan. "There are a lot of people around the table."
Under the proposal, all Californians must have insurance, although thepoorest will be subsidized. Those who go uncovered will be subject totax penalties.
Businesses with 10 or more employees will have to offer insurance to their workers or pay 4 percent of their payroll into a state fund.Smaller firms, which the governor's office said make up 80 percent of California businesses, will be exempt.
Insurers would no longer be allowed to deny coverage to people because of their medical problems. All children, regardless of their immigration status, will be covered through an expansion of the state and federal Healthy Families program.
"If you can't afford it, the state will help you buy it. ...

Will sen Clinton be campaigning out here?

Why bother with tax rates if legislature such as this can be passed?

Imagine the effects on business and/or our economy.

Which of these politicians is aware of a country where this plan has succeeded?

JDW