California Endowment Chief Urges Bill on Health Reform
"Health care is a complex issue that requires the attention and involvement of our government to help find solutions," Robert Ross, president and CEO of the California Endowment, writes in a San Diego Union-Tribune opinion piece.
"But if government doesn't act, others may take a policy approach into their own hands through California's initiative process," Ross writes. "A successful ballot measure could arise in the form of a slick, well-financed ad campaign by some special interest group -- not the kind of balanced, thoughtful reform we need to assure that key stakeholders are not irreparably harmed," Ross writes.
"Instead of going on their own, business leaders and private sector-health leaders must engage our elected officials to turn up the heat to begin crafting solutions," Ross writes.
"It is unrealistic to expect California's health care crisis to be completely solved in the next few weeks or months. But meaningful steps toward a solution must be taken now," Ross argues.
"We must start the momentum that will assure health and business productivity for California," Ross concludes (Ross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9/5).