Health Care Initiative Filed

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Papers were filed today with the Attorney General for the funding component of the comprehensive health care reform legislation co-authored by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and Senate President pro Tem Don Perata.

The main news is the tobacco tax will be $1.75 per pack -- that's halfway between the $2 that Nunez wanted and $1.50 the Governor was holding out for. The compromise makes sure that the lung, cancer, and heart groups will continue to have their programs adequately funded. Some $1.5 billion will be raised by the doubling of the current tobacco tax.

The 30+ page plus initiative also has "lockbox" provisions that prevent the funds for the health care program from being raided, and insures that the program wont kick in until funds are being received and federal programs approved. There's also a $25 million loan from January through May 2009 to make sure every California child has health care coverage until the revenues start flowing into the state from the tobacco tax, hospital fee, federal government, and employer fees.