Another View on the California Democrats' United Health Care Plan: No Individual Mandates

We also take out the requirement in the bills that everybody must be covered. We know that there is a difference of opinion with the administration, with respect to that. But the reason we decided to pull that from the bill is that we need more time to figure out whether or not there is an affordable health care product for the average worker in California and their families.

We want to make sure that even people who make above 300% of poverty, but are still middle class families can afford at the end of the month to make a premium payment that is consistent with them being able to afford to have a dignified life. And not have to dig to pay 30 or 40% into their monthly budgets in order to do that.

It does not appear that this proposal has enough regulation of the health care insurance industry or an expanded affordable governmental plan that anyone could buy into to guarantee affordable insurance to the middle class. Without that it is unacceptable to require insurance. This will be a huge battle with Arnold.

Back to Arnold's press conference:

He downplayed the significance of the Democrats' legislation, saying the final outcome would be worked out in private negotiations and could turn out dramatically different.

"What you see now is not really what counts," he said. "What counts is the outcome. And it can turn very quickly."

This is posturing, trying to make his plan appear more viable. This is actually a very significant step, setting up a benchmark for negotiations, and a framework of the most important concepts for Democrats. They have staked out their territory.

The Democrats most likely will not be able to get a super majority to override a gubernatorial veto, though they did indicate today that they will reach out to their Republican counterparts. That will be a tough sell, thus the dynamic of private negotiations between the Democrats and Arnold. Meanwhile all sides will work to influence the negotiations or in the case of Blue Cross try and scuttle. It is an enormously important and complex issue and negotiations will be contentious.

Nunez indicated that the Democrats hoped to pass this bill by July 11th setting up negotiations over the summer with Arnold, which could bleed into the fall.

Julia Rosen worked in DC for several years before coming to work for the Alliance for a Better California. She is currently blogging for Working Californians where this article appeared. It is republished with her permission.