Health Care Emerging as Issue in Governor’s Race

Health care reform could be a key campaign platform for the November elections, as both Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Phil Angelides last week indicated it would be one of their top priorities if elected, the AP/Fresno Bee reports.

Angelides on Friday said if elected, he would rollback about $5 billion in corporate tax loopholes and tax breaks for residents whose annual incomes exceed $500,000 to fund children's health insurance and other programs.

Meanwhile, Schwarzenegger on Wednesday called for a summit to develop a new health care system that would provide services to all Californians, although he has opposed universal health care in the past. Schwarzenegger said he would make 2007 "the year of health care" if re-elected.

The Schwarzenegger campaign on Friday noted that children's enrollment in Medi-Cal and Healthy Families has increased by 10% and that overall health spending has increased by 30% since the governor took office.

However, health care reforms could be difficult for both candidates to enact because of concerns about the state budget and the federal government's control over a large portion of the health system, the Bee reports (Risling, AP/Fresno Bee, 6/9).