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AB 8 Health Care As Amended: Calling the Question, Point of Information...

By Anthony Wright
Executive Director of Health Access California

With the positive amendments on affordability and cost containment, many consumer, community, labor, and constituency groups are coming on board to a full-fledged "Support" position on AB 8(Nunez).

For some, including a handful that are considering opposing the bill, there has been some mis-information circulating:

• Some folks didn't realize that the affordability amendments were in fact included, but they are official as of Friday.

• Some think the bill includes a mandate to buy in the individual market--which there is not.

• Some think the insurance companies are in support--when in fact they are opposed, with Blue Cross running full-page ads against the bill.

• Some are concerned about potential last-minute changes to AB8--but the deadline is now past to make any changes. (If they go into special session, they'll have to start with a new bill number--even if they use the language of AB8 as the basis for further negotiation with the Governor.)

The bill in print is what to consider, against the unacceptable status quo. And there's a lot to recommend it: it would make coverage more available, affordable, and automatic for the vast number of Californians. It would dramatically expand public program and group coverage for millions of uninsured Californians.

If signed, it would be major advance, on par with the passage of Medicare and Medicaid 40 years ago. It's not perfect, nor accomplish all the reforms that are needed; but passing and enacting the bill would create momentum for additional efforts. This isn't the first year of the health reform debate, and it won't be the last, regardless of what happens this year

Health Access California is a statewide health care consumer advocacy coalition of over 200 groups.

Posted on September 10, 2007

Comments

Analysis I have read of AB8 say it includes no employee mandate but a summary I just read indicate that employees of employers who pay the required fee must take up insurance from Cal-CHIP unless the premiums exceed 5% of income. Is that correct? If so must employees take up private market insurance if their employer offers it as a benefit?

Posted by: David Coronado at September 10, 2007 08:33 AM

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