It's Worth Repeating: Broad Support for AB 1X, the Comprehensive Health Care Reform Bill

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

According to the latest PPIC poll, 60 percent of voters support AB 1X, the comprehensive health care bill co-authored by Speaker Fabian Nunez and Senate President pro Tem Don Perata and endorsed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. This echoes a Field Poll last month that found 64 percent of California voters support the bill. While the electorate has embraced AB 1X, the bill's impressive level of support from leading opinion makers in the state is worth repeating. Dozens of labor unions, forward-thinking businesses, health care advocates, children's advocates, and community groups support AB 1X, because they understand that it is our state's only chance at improving access to health care coverage this decade. The 100% Campaign gets it. The Latino Coalition for a Healthy California gets it too. And let's not forget the AARP and California Primary Care Association. For our readers who need a refresher, here's a taste of what other supporters are saying...

Anthony Wright of Health Access:

"The analysis, entitled "Health Reform in California and Massachusetts : Different from Start to Finish," concludes that AB x1 1 would provide a broader benefit to California consumers than what was passed in Massachusetts . In addition, the California proposal has a much more stable financing structure of significant new dollars to improve the state's health care system, and goes far beyond Massachusetts in trying to control health care costs.

The report lists "top ten" major differences between the California 's AB x1 1, and the health reform law, Chapter 58, passed in 2006. In contrast with Massachusetts, the California proposal includes:
1) New, Broader Financing, including a Tobacco Tax
2) A More Meaningful Employer Contribution
3) General Fund Protection
4) Significant Cost Containment
5) Subsidies up to and above 400% of the federal poverty level
6) Key Differences in the Individual Mandate, Affordability and Enforcement
7) A Transition to Guaranteed Issue
8) Medical Loss Ratios and Increased Insurer Oversight
9) Not Just a Connector, but a Negotiator
10) New and Improved Public Health Care Options

The report shows that while there are similarities in the framework, California's pending proposal goes far beyond Massachusetts in numerous areas."

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