CALPIRG Statement on Governor’s Proposed Health Care Legislation
December 21st, 2007 Posted by: Dr. Cox
Statement by Mike Russo, Health Care Advocate and Staff Attorney for CALPIRG:
“We welcome Gov. Schwarzenegger’s announcement today that he has released the details of his health care reform proposal. Now all sides have put their cards on the table, and lawmakers can continue shaping the comprehensive health care reform California needs.
“The current proposal will limit the insurance companies’ ability to deny sick Californians coverage and charge them higher premiums. It also requires insurance companies to spend 85 percent of premium dollars on health care, assuring consumers that their monthly premiums go to health benefits, not administrative overhead or excess profits.
“Skyrocketing health care costs mean that comprehensive health care reform is critical to making sure consumers can get good-quality, affordable coverage.We urge the Governor and the legislature to act quickly to enact health care reform, because California can’t wait.”
Read the letter CALPIRG wrote to lawmakers last week about the working draft of the Governor’s health care reform proposal on our website. We have not yet had time to analyze the latest language. On CALPIRG’s health care webpage, under the heading “Resources”, click on “CALPIRG's letter to lawmakers on the latest draft of the health care reform proposal.”
http://www.calpirg.org/health-care/lowering-the-costs-of-health-insurance.
CALPIRG is a statewide membership-based public interest group that stands up to powerful interests, working to win concrete results for Californians’ health and well-being. With researchers, advocates, organizers and students, we advocate on behalf of consumers and all California’s residents.