Statement by
Mike Russo, Health Care Advocate and Staff Attorney for CALPIRG:
“We welcome Gov. Schwarzenegger’s
announcement today that he has released the details of his health care reform
proposal. Now all sides have put their cards on the table, and lawmakers can
continue shaping the comprehensive health care reform California needs.
“The current proposal will limit the
insurance companies’ ability to deny sick Californians coverage and charge them
higher premiums. It also requires insurance companies to spend 85 percent of
premium dollars on health care, assuring consumers that their monthly premiums
go to health benefits, not administrative overhead or excess profits.
“Skyrocketing health care costs mean
that comprehensive health care reform is critical to making sure consumers can
get good-quality, affordable coverage. We urge the Governor and the legislature
to act quickly to enact health care reform, because California can’t wait.”
Read the letter CALPIRG wrote to
lawmakers last week about the working draft of the Governor’s health care reform
proposal on our website. We have not yet had time to analyze the latest
language. On CALPIRG’s health care webpage, under the heading “Resources”,
click on “CALPIRG's
letter to lawmakers on the latest draft of the health
care reform proposal.”
http://www.calpirg.org/health-care/lowering-the-costs-of-health-insurance.
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.
