Medical Students Support Single-Payer System
The American Medical Student Association sponsored a rally at the state Capitol on Tuesday in favor of health care reform legislation, the Orange County Register reports. Lt. Gov. John Garamendi (D) addressed students at the rally before they met with state legislators.
The medical students support expected legislation by Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D-Los Angeles) that would create a state-run, single-payer health care system in California. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) vetoed similar legislation last year.
AMSA does not support the governor's recent health care reform proposal (Bernhard, Orange County Register, 1/17). Under the governor's plan, Medi-Cal and Healthy Families would be expanded to help provide coverage to low- and moderate-income state residents. Individuals who decline to carry insurance would face a reduction in state income tax refunds or have wages withheld.
The $12 billion plan also would require contributions from employers, individuals, insurers and medical providers (California Healthline, 1/16).
About 200 medical students participated, making it the largest rally of medical students in California history, according to the Register (Orange County Register, 1/17).