Angelides Focuses on Health Care Reforms
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides in Bakersfield and Visalia on Wednesday discussed his plans to lower prescription drug costs and expand health insurance coverage in California, the Fresno Bee reports (Sheehan, Fresno Bee, 7/27).
In Bakersfield, Angelides talked about his support for universal health care, which he said he envisions being adopted in three stages: first to all children, then to all full-time employees and employees of large companies, and, finally, to all other residents.
Angelides also criticized the Medicare drug benefit and said he would "personally lobby Congress" for changes to the 2003 Medicare law if he is elected governor (Hagedorn, Bakersfield Californian, 7/27).
In Visalia, Angelides outlined his five-point health care agenda, which includes:
- Expanding Healthy Families to provide health insurance to all children;
- Supporting legislation that would require businesses with 200 or more workers to provide health insurance for employees;
- Imposing regulations on HMOs to limit administrative and executive costs and use that money for health care;
- Supporting legislation to allow seniors and families to purchase prescription drugs over the Internet, including from Canada; and
- Using the state's buying power to negotiate lower drug prices with manufacturers.
Schwarzenegger regional press secretary Amanda Fulkerson said Angelides' health care plans are unrealistic and would drive businesses away from California (Fresno Bee, 7/27). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.