Statement by
Mike Russo, Health Care Advocate and Staff Attorney for CALPIRG:
“We welcome the Speaker’s
announcement on Tuesday of his plan for health care reform. While the details
haven’t fully been released, it looks to contain costs, expand coverage, and
help consumers get a fair shake when buying insurance.
“The Speaker’s proposal is a real
olive branch to the Governor, since incorporating an individual mandate and
decreasing the employer fee go a long way towards meeting him in the middle.
“It also pays for reform by levying
a tax on cigarettes. A tobacco tax would provide a solid source of funding for
health care, while at the same time discouraging a very unhealthy habit. It’s
win-win for everybody – except maybe for Big
Tobacco.
“The Speaker’s just taken us a big
step forward. The negotiations aren’t over, but one last push could get us to
the health care reform California needs.”
CALPIRG is a
statewide membership-based public interest group that stands up to powerful
interests, working to win concrete results for Californians’ health and
well-being. With researchers, advocates, organizers and students, we advocate on
behalf of consumers and all California’s
residents.
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