Illegals To Get Medical Care
Schwarzenegger aims for health care for all in California
By Lisa Baertlein
31 minutes ago
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled plans on Monday to require all Californians to have health insurance and to extend coverage to an estimated 6.5 million state residents without insurance.
Under his plan, insurers would not be able to deny coverage based or age or health conditions, healthy lifestyles would be rewarded and the state would expand its existing health insurance for the poor, which may bring in more federal funds to the state.
"My solution is that everyone in California must have insurance," said Schwarzenegger, who was inaugurated to a second term on Friday after time in the hospital to repair a broken leg. "If you can't afford it, the state will help you buy it, but you must be insured."
"My proposal is a beginning," he said. "Everything will be on the table and I want to hear from everyone. If we have the will -- and I believe that we do -- we can heal our broken system."
One in five Californians lacks health insurance. The state's proportion of uninsured residents is above the national average and its rate of employer-based coverage is below average, according to the California HealthCare Foundation.
Under Schwarzenegger's proposal, firms with 10 or more workers would offer health insurance to employees or pay four percent of payroll to the state so it can provide medical coverage. Firms with fewer than 10 employees would be exempt.
Additionally, doctors would pay the state two percent of revenues and hospitals would be taxed four percent of their revenue to support a new state insurance pool. Since taking office in 2003, Schwarzenegger has opposed any new taxes.
ILLEGALS TO GET MEDICAL CARE
Schwarzenegger's plans are crafted to address two broad concerns: hidden costs for providing health care to the uninsured who clog the state's emergency rooms where they can not be denied treatment, and providing medical insurance to the 10 percent of children in California who are uninsured.
"There is no debate about whether to provide medical care for people who are in California illegally," he said. "I know this is controversial but federal law requires us to treat anyone who shows up at an emergency room in need of care." "So the decision for my team was, do we treat them in emergency rooms at the highest cost available or do we do it right and do it efficiently?"
Democrats who control California's legislature and who have long urged increased state involvement in directing and providing medical services have cheered Schwarzenegger's vow to make health-care policy a top priority this year.
"The fact that the governor's plan lines up with our plan in so many key areas sends a strong signal about where these discussions will go," said Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez.
But the Republican governor's signature on legislation to extend health-care benefits to the uninsured may come at a price for Democrats. His top budget aide said on Sunday he also aims to cut $465 million in welfare spending as the state faces a projected budget shortfall of $5.5 billion.
The welfare plan should appeal to Republicans, who have grumbled as Schwarzenegger has veered to the political center. But Democrats are upset. "It's ironic that the governor is proposing health care for poor kids, while taking away their breakfasts," said state Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata.
A handful of states, including Illinois, Maine and New Jersey, already provide health coverage to all children through state programs, and New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer has also signaled he aims to guarantee all of New York's 500,000 uninsured children access to health insurance.
Massachusetts was the first U.S. state to pass a law requiring individuals to buy health coverage.
By Lisa Baertlein
31 minutes ago
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled plans on Monday to require all Californians to have health insurance and to extend coverage to an estimated 6.5 million state residents without insurance.
Under his plan, insurers would not be able to deny coverage based or age or health conditions, healthy lifestyles would be rewarded and the state would expand its existing health insurance for the poor, which may bring in more federal funds to the state.
"My solution is that everyone in California must have insurance," said Schwarzenegger, who was inaugurated to a second term on Friday after time in the hospital to repair a broken leg. "If you can't afford it, the state will help you buy it, but you must be insured."
"My proposal is a beginning," he said. "Everything will be on the table and I want to hear from everyone. If we have the will -- and I believe that we do -- we can heal our broken system."
One in five Californians lacks health insurance. The state's proportion of uninsured residents is above the national average and its rate of employer-based coverage is below average, according to the California HealthCare Foundation.
Under Schwarzenegger's proposal, firms with 10 or more workers would offer health insurance to employees or pay four percent of payroll to the state so it can provide medical coverage. Firms with fewer than 10 employees would be exempt.
Additionally, doctors would pay the state two percent of revenues and hospitals would be taxed four percent of their revenue to support a new state insurance pool. Since taking office in 2003, Schwarzenegger has opposed any new taxes.
ILLEGALS TO GET MEDICAL CARE
Schwarzenegger's plans are crafted to address two broad concerns: hidden costs for providing health care to the uninsured who clog the state's emergency rooms where they can not be denied treatment, and providing medical insurance to the 10 percent of children in California who are uninsured.
"There is no debate about whether to provide medical care for people who are in California illegally," he said. "I know this is controversial but federal law requires us to treat anyone who shows up at an emergency room in need of care." "So the decision for my team was, do we treat them in emergency rooms at the highest cost available or do we do it right and do it efficiently?"
Democrats who control California's legislature and who have long urged increased state involvement in directing and providing medical services have cheered Schwarzenegger's vow to make health-care policy a top priority this year.
"The fact that the governor's plan lines up with our plan in so many key areas sends a strong signal about where these discussions will go," said Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez.
But the Republican governor's signature on legislation to extend health-care benefits to the uninsured may come at a price for Democrats. His top budget aide said on Sunday he also aims to cut $465 million in welfare spending as the state faces a projected budget shortfall of $5.5 billion.
The welfare plan should appeal to Republicans, who have grumbled as Schwarzenegger has veered to the political center. But Democrats are upset. "It's ironic that the governor is proposing health care for poor kids, while taking away their breakfasts," said state Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata.
A handful of states, including Illinois, Maine and New Jersey, already provide health coverage to all children through state programs, and New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer has also signaled he aims to guarantee all of New York's 500,000 uninsured children access to health insurance.
Massachusetts was the first U.S. state to pass a law requiring individuals to buy health coverage.
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Great maybe all the illegals in GA will leave and head west. 0 -
quote:One in five Californians lacks health insurance.
I pay $589 a month out of pocket just for me! WTH is he trying to do kill me![:(!]0 -
health coverage is f-up period. why do my premiums keep going up, when i don't get anything in return every year. Why is there no checks and balances on health care. 0 -
>Why is there no checks and balances on health care<
Because its government run.0 -
More socialism, thinly disguised by a Republican.
Sadly, we will never wake up. Most appreciate the nanny state.
All that happens is that those of us with our eyes open and who have an understanding of "Constitutional Original Intent", continue to be disheartened and angered.[:(!]
And the slide continues.....0 -
The reasons the cost of medical care is going up so much folks it because of the "LAWSUITS!"
If things don't turn out perfect in any medical emergany nowdays everyone sues the ER docs or the OBGYN and on and on. And the settlements are always in the millions of dollars which get spread across your medical insurance premiums.
Its an easy fix: simply spray for lawyers with DDT or stamp out the laws schools or stop being greedy.
Same problem with car insurance costs. Its basic win the lottery greed!![:0][:0]0 -
This is a golden opportunity, just set up a branch of the immigration service inside the hospitals. Immediatly after they receive treatment, give them their deportation order and get them on the bus back home. 0 -
I said it loud and proud when the Clintons were running and I"ll say it again.
We don't Health Care Reform.
We need health Insurance reform.0 -
just another example of the government taking over YOUR life and making everyone pay for it. insurance companies are the biggest FRAUDS in american history. arnold sure fooled everyone into thinking he was a republican. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by NeilTheBrit
This is a golden opportunity, just set up a branch of the immigration service inside the hospitals. Immediatly after they receive treatment, give them their deportation order and get them on the bus back home.
If someone breaks into my house and I call the police and the police catch the home-breakers, I hope the police do more to the criminals than merely give them a ride back home. Like maybe 6 months working picking up trash along side the highway, etc.
If we did this with all illegal aliens, maybe when they got back home they would not be so anxious to make more return trips. And maybe when they related their story of their "punishment" to their friends and family back home, maybe that would discourage some of those people from breaking into our country.0 -
dont count on it. bush and the new congress want them all here.... 0 -
It will just open the flood gates for the illegals, if were stupid enough to give them everything free what have they got to lose. President Bush and the Dems will grant them all the wishes they could want. Free section 8 housing,free medical,free drivers licenses,free welfare and your Social Security. Had enough let your elected offical know 0
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