[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Anthony Wright
Executive Director of Health Access California

One more thing about the Legislative Analyst’s Office beyond yesterday’s article, and their role in health reform, in the recent debate, and in the future.

THE LAO'S INFLUENCE: While some have seen the LAO report as a factor in the stalling of AB x1 1 and health reform this year, I think the evidence shows that it was the easy excuse--rather than the actual reason--for the Senate to stop the bill. (For example, one Senator said that the LAO report was determinative in deciding how to vote, even though that Senator had announced opposition to the proposal months earlier.)

In other words, the LAO report, along with other factors, helped create an environment where a "no" vote was acceptable and even easy. The LAO has no formal decision-making power, but it does have influence, and its decisions do have political consequences.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Anthony Wright
Executive Director of Health Access California

Text of Legislation Including the Governor's Authorless Bill Now Available

Here's the text of the legislative leader's proposal, AB x1 1: The California Health Care Reform and Cost Control Act.

It's important to note that there are elements of what the legislative leaders put out in their framework that isn't in the bill. Some of those parts are slated to go into a separate ballot measure document; For other parts, it's simply that they didn't have the time to draft it.

The next opportunity there will be for Speaker Nunez to amend the bill will be next Wednesday, November 14th, in the Assembly Health Committee.

Also that might be heard:

The Governor's proposal, in bill form but without an author, is AB x1 2.
Republican Leader Villines' package, ironically numbered AB x1 8.