[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Clear Message That Changes Needed and Disapproval of Both Governor and Legislature in Handling This Issue

By Frank D. Russo

The Public Policy Institute of California has done an extensive survey broken out by both all Californians and likely voters who send a strong message that they are concerned about the affordability of public college and university education which they see as a necessity, without which one cannot succeed in the workplace. They also rate negatively the Governor's performance in this area along with that of the state legislature. And they want changes made.

"Californians and Higher Education", released late last night, is a 44 page report based on a survey of 2,503 California adults taken between October 10 and 23.

Californians Say College Education is the Only Way to Succeed in the Economy

by Robert in Monterey [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Working Californians blogs]

It looks like the affordability issues have been taken care of with regards to AB 8 and it now has the pretty much full support from the labor and consumer groups. The bill is now on the Assembly floor and seemed destined for Arnold's desk. While, he has promised a veto, the more pressure that is brought to bear on him the better. This bill does an excellent job creating large group pools, from both programs open to all to join and an expansion of governmental programs that will help reduce expenses. Naturally, Blue Cross et. all strongly oppose the plan.

He has been pledging to bring the legislature back for a special session. The goal would be to hash out a compromise. Weintraub has a good overview of what's going on and how such an agreement will be likely created. (h/t to Dave). He starts off talking about AB8.

read more

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Anthony Wright
Executive Director of Health Access California

With the positive amendments on affordability and cost containment, many consumer, community, labor, and constituency groups are coming on board to a full-fledged "Support" position on AB 8(Nunez).

For some, including a handful that are considering opposing the bill, there has been some mis-information circulating:

• Some folks didn't realize that the affordability amendments were in fact included, but they are official as of Friday.

• Some think the bill includes a mandate to buy in the individual market--which there is not.

• Some think the insurance companies are in support--when in fact they are opposed, with Blue Cross running full-page ads against the bill.

• Some are concerned about potential last-minute changes to AB8--but the deadline is now past to make any changes. (If they go into special session, they'll have to start with a new bill number--even if they use the language of AB8 as the basis for further negotiation with the Governor.)

by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Working Californians blogs]

The desire for health care reform is so strong in the country that even the Republican Presidential candidates are promising massive changes to cover more of the 44.8 million uninsured and increase affordability for those who already have insurance. There is no one singular idea of how to reach those goals. Republicans are fearful to step into SiCKO territory and increase the numbers covered under governmental programs. The Democrats generally take the opposite tact. Here is a pretty decent NYT overview of the situation.

Their approaches are very different, reflecting longstanding divisions between the parties on the role of government versus the private market in addressing the affordability and availability of health insurance. Republicans, by and large, promise to expand coverage by using a variety of tax incentives to empower consumers to buy it themselves, from private insurers. Conservatives warn, repeatedly, of Democrats edging toward the slippery slope of “government-controlled health insurance,” as former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani of New York puts it, and promote the innovation and choice offered by private insurers.

read more »