Six and a half million Californians were uninsured some time
during the previous year, according to the UCLA California Health
Interview Survey. Soon, one man hopes to bring that number down to
zero.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed a $12 billion plan Monday to
issue statewide health insurance for all residents, lending a hand
to Californians who find themselves hampered by their financial
situations.
Some term this as the most comprehensive health care reform plan
to date, and a movement this grand is a step in the right
direction.
But while the governor is setting some impressive goals, we
still find a few holes in his proposal that leave us skeptical of
its success.
Employers of 10 or more workers are required to provide health
insurance that would cost them at least 4 percent of their payroll.
If they refuse to provide the service, they would be required to
pay the equivalent amount into a state insurance fund.
Additionally, doctors would also have to fork over 2 percent of
their earnings to the state, and hospitals would have to fork over
4 percent of their profits.
Mandating that these groups carry the burden of financing such
an endeavor misplaces the responsibility that all state residents
should share through added taxes. Why charge small sectors of the
population for a program that benefits all of us?
This financial system is also problematic because it puts more
budgetary pressure on hospitals on top of what they already
face.
With the passing of the proposal, hospitals would no longer
receive compensation for uninsured patients treated in the
emergency room because by default, incoming patients should already
be insured.
However, this policy charges hospitals for health care in the
first place, piling the charges for certain patients back on the
doctors and hospitals themselves.
We propose that the governor cut out the middle man, spreading
the cost of this policy on all state residents so we can all
contribute to the policy’s financial sources.
This board does not advocate taxing the general population for
all our state’s problems, but on our short list of taxable
issues, we think universal health care is one worthy of an
additional tax. Along with taxing for education reform, the
benefits of this tax would greatly outweigh the costs.
But while there are problems with funding, the proposal’s
implementation of preventative health programs through health
promotions and wellness programs are also commendable.
Another problem with this plan is that children of illegal
immigrants would receive coverage. While universal health care
coverage for children is admirable, the children of non-citizens
““ unless they were born in the U.S. ““ should not be
covered.
These programs include gym memberships and weight management
programs for those in public programs, while giving rate reductions
to those in commercial plans for engaging in healthy
activities.
Another problem with this plan is that children of illegal
immigrants would receive coverage. While universal health care
coverage for children is admirable, the children of non-citizens
““ unless they were born in the U.S. ““ should not be
covered.