CALIFORNIA: COMMISSION CHAIR RESPONDS TO WILSON’S ACTIONS
Alain Enthoven, chair of the California commission "chargedThis is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
with recommending ways to regulate managed health care, voiced
disappointment" yesterday that Gov. Pete Wilson (R) "has thrust
his panel into political controversy by threatening to veto all
reform bills."
Los Angeles Times reports that earlier this week, Wilson
announced that he will veto all but one of the managed care
reform bills passed by the California Legislature. The one
exception is a bill that prohibits "drive-through deliveries."
Wilson has complained that "the Legislature was attempting to
create a myriad of managed care issues with disjointed,
'piecemeal' responses." He contends that the "commission will
provide a more comprehensive and reasoned approach."
MAYBE, BUT
Enthoven, however, said he was concerned that Wilson's
remarks may prevent the commission from being able to "reach
consensus and make recommendations as scheduled in January." He
said, "I regret it. I just don't know what the outcome is going
to be. I am hoping that we can keep our eye on the ball and not
get diverted by the swirl of partisan politics."
UNLIKELY SUPPORT
Although many Democrats and patient advocates "accused
Wilson of using the commission as a political vehicle to kill or
delay bills the industry couldn't scuttle in the Legislature,"
one key Democrat voiced support for Wilson's action. Senate
President Pro Tem Bill Lockyer (D) said the Legislature is
"legislating in a piecemeal fashion without a more comprehensive
and disciplined policy product." He said, "As a general matter,
taking six months to be thoughtful and try to integrate the work
product is not a bad idea" (Ingram, 8/7).