Universal Health Insurance is Schwarzenegger’s Way
January 31, 2008
According to Schwarzenegger, a golden opportunity to lead the way in universal health care was missed when his univeral health care bill did not survive the Senate committee. Schwarzenegger vowed to continue working for universal health care legislation.
With California being the largest US state, this bill has been closely watched all over along with the fact that health care costs are spiralling and affordable health care is sparse. These reasons have also led to health care being very important to the presidential campaign.
This bill was pushed by Schwarzenegger and Fabian Nunez from the Republican and Democratic parties. The bill would have given Californians without insurance some coverage whether individually, through employers or through the state.
Although the legislation was endorsed by the Democrat led assembly, it was shot down by the health committee of the senate. The reason was the high cost of the bill - 14 bn dollars. The money was to come from tobacco taxes, employer fees and hospitals. The bill was to cost much more than earlier claimed by its supporters.
Concerns about a recession were a reason the bill was shot down, since change is opposed in uncertain times. Supporters of the bill, meanwhile said they would continue to try to better the state’s insurance system.
