Two Newspapers Release Recommendations for Health Care-Related Propositions on November Ballot
The Bakersfield Californian and the Fresno Bee published recommendations for initiatives that will appear on the Nov. 2 statewide ballot, including five health-related measures. Summaries appear below.
Proposition 61 is a $750 million measure that would pay for construction, expansion and equipment for children's hospitals. Including interest, the program would cost about $1.5 billion over 30 years (California Healthline, 9/27).
The Californian recommends voting "yes" (Bakersfield Californian, 10/13).
The Bee also recommends voting "yes" (Fresno Bee, 10/14).
Proposition 63 would increase by 1% the state personal income tax on individuals whose annual incomes exceed $1 million to finance an expansion of mental health services. The measure would raise an estimated $700 million annually to care for people with severe mental illnesses (California Healthline, 9/27).
The Californian recommends voting "no" (Bakersfield Californian, 10/13).
The Bee recommends voting "yes" (Fresno Bee, 10/14).
Proposition 67 would add a 3% surcharge to residential telephone bills to fund hospital emergency services and training. The initiative would generate an estimated $550 million annually to fund emergency department services (California Healthline, 9/27).
The Californian recommends voting "yes" on the measure (Bakersfield Californian, 10/13).
The Bee also recommends voting "yes" (Fresno Bee, 10/14).
Proposition 71 would raise an average of $295 million annually for a decade to promote stem cell research through the issue of state bonds. The measure would provide funds for a new stem cell research center at a University of California campus, as well as grants and loans for laboratory projects at other colleges. State analysts say the measure would cost a total of $6 billion, including interest (California Healthline, 9/27).
The Californian recommends voting "yes" (Bakersfield Californian, 10/13).
The Bee recommends voting "no" on Proposition 71 (Fresno Bee, 10/14).
Proposition 72 allows state residents to vote "yes" to uphold or "no" to repeal SB 2, a state law scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2006, that will require some employers to provide health insurance to workers or pay into a state fund to provide such coverage (California Healthline, 9/27).
The Californian recommends voting "no" (Bakersfield Californian, 10/13).
The Bee also recommends voting "no" (Fresno Bee, 10/14).
KPCC's "Air Talk" on Wednesday included a discussion about Proposition 61 with Sue Maddox, president and CEO of the California Children's Hospital Association. The program also included a discussion of Proposition 67 with Jack Lewin, executive vice president and CEO of the California Medical Association and a supporter of the initiative, and Chip Yarborough, president of the California chapter of the National Emergency Number Association (Mantle, "Air Talk," KPCC, 10/13). The complete segments are available online in RealPlayer.
Additional information on Propositions 61, 63, 67, 71 and 72 is available online.