California Health Care Reform Bill of Speaker Nunez and Governor Schwarzenegger Dies in Committee

By Frank D. Russo

The California State Senate Health Committee this afternoon killed AB 1X 1 to reform the state’s health care system and bring insurance coverage to many of the millions who lack it. It received one vote, that of Democratic Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas, who moved that the committee approve it.

The committee’s mood was somber and reflective, as each member on the 11 member panel save Ridley-Thomas, gave statements as to why they could not support the measure. All, or almost all, were complimentary of the efforts made by the Speaker and the Governor to try to forge a compromise. Republicans and Democrats alike also gave kudos to Senator Sheila Kuehl, the chair of the committee, for the manner in which she handled the hearings. There was consensus that this was the way that the legislature should deliberate on important matters. Thanks were also expressed to the Office of the Legislative Analyst for a quick turnaround of a report on the financial underpinnings and assumptions of the bill.

Nevertheless, the bill is dead for the year, given deadlines for placement of measures to fund any such measure for the November ballot.

Those speaking today all said that the process must go on and acknowledged that something must be done about the problem of medical care in California. Some, such as Democratic Senator Gil Cedillo noting that time to negotiate the bill having run short and not being able to amend the bill in committee but having to vote it up or down, left them no choice.

Earlier in the day, the outcome was no longer in doubt when Senate President Don Perata, still listed as the principal coauthor of the bill, sent a letter to the Governor and the Speaker laying out his reasons as to why he could not support its passage.

Sacramento has seen thousands of Californians in rallies on the Capitol lawn, packing into committee hearing rooms, standing in long lines to speak at hearings, and walking the halls to talk to legislators and their staffs on this important issue. That level of interest is a good thing for California democracy and a good omen for the future. While some of the charges and countercharges, have not been so kind about those on opposite sides of the issue, there has been a good discussion which hopefully will provide the foundation for some progress in this area.

Perhaps some less ambitious bills can still be passed in short order to provide insurance coverage to children who do not have insurance and other reforms. The chapter is now closed on 2007’s “Year of Health Care.”

More to come.

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