Analysis Lays Groundwork for Health Reform Debate
With the first cost estimates in and funding sources made known, the stage is set for more substantive negotiations later this summer on health care reform proposals from Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles), Senate President Pro Tempore Don Perata (D-Oakland) and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), according to KQED's "The California Report" (Myers, "The California Report," KQED, 5/15).
Núñez and Perata on Wednesday said their respective proposals to overhaul California's health care system largely would be funded by a mandatory 7.5% contribution from most businesses.
Employer contributions in both plans would cover almost 60% of the costs, while contributions from workers would cover about one-third. The remaining costs would be covered by increased federal funding (California Healthline, 5/17).
Núñez noted that all three proposals would require contributions from most employers in California. He called for the business community to "level the playing field" by funding coverage ("The California Report," KQED, 5/15).
Audio of the segment is available online.