CALPIRG Statement on Assembly Passage of ABX1-1
December 21st, 2007 Posted by: Dr. Cox
Statement by Mike Russo, Health Care Advocate and Staff Attorney for CALPIRG:
“CALPIRG applauds the Assembly’s passage today of the comprehensive health care reform bill, ABX1-1. The reform will greatly expand coverage, contain the surging costs of health care, and give consumers a fair shake when buying insurance.The bill:
Creates a large purchasing pool to let many Californians who currently lack access to group coverage gain access to the risk-sharing and bargaining power a pool provides.
Organizes the chaotic insurance market into five tiers, and gives consumers the tools they need to buy the coverage that’s right for them by providing clear benchmark plans.
Gives all consumers, sick and healthy, access to health insurance, preventing insurance companies from discriminating against those who need coverage the most.
Expands coverage across the board by strengthening the Healthy Families and Medi-Cal programs.
Contains the rising costs of health care through bulk purchasing of prescription drugs, robust transparency provisions, and requiring insurers to spend 85 percent of premiums on care.
“We commend the Governor and the Speaker for their hard work turning the vision of health care reform into a reality.Besides helping all Californians obtain quality coverage, ABX1-1 will also finally bring some law and order to the unregulated, Wild West insurance market.And because it will bring in matching federal dollars and new health care dollars from providers, employers, and a tobacco tax that will improve Californians’ health, it will also help with the looming budget deficit.
“We urge Senate President Pro Tem Perata to pass ABX1-1 through his chamber as well – California can’t afford to wait any longer for health care reform.”
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.
###