Governor Pitches Health Care Overhaul at San Diego Meeting

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Thursday held a town hall meeting in San Diego to help build public support for his health care reform proposal to businesses, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The governor said his proposal to require most businesses to contribute at least 4% of payroll to health care coverage would not be an excessive financial burden because reducing the number of uninsured people in California would help control health care costs. He added that his health care reform plan would eliminate a "hidden tax" that insured consumers currently are paying to cover health care costs for the uninsured.

Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Kim Belshé and other administration officials appeared with the governor (Marelius, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5/18).

Schwarzenegger on Tuesday held a similar town hall meeting in Concord (California Healthline, 5/16). Other subjects up for discussion at the meetings have included prison reform, environmental protections and infrastructure projects (San Diego Union-Tribune, 5/18).

Broadcast Coverage

KPBS' "Full Focus" on Thursday reported on Schwarzenegger's town hall meeting in San Diego, including the governor's comments on his health care reform plan.

The segment also includes comments from audience members (Faryon, "Full Focus," KPBS, 5/17).

A transcript of the segment is available online. Video will be available Friday afternoon.

Also on the subject of health care reform, KQED's "This Week in Northern California" on Friday is scheduled to include a report examining proposals by Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles), Senate President Pro Tempore Don Perata (D-Oakland) and Schwarzenegger ("This Week in Northern California," KQED, 5/18).

Additional details about the segment and a broadcast schedule are available online.

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.