California Democrats want free, universal health care for every resident of California (does this include illegal residents, too?).
Sacramento – The Democratic-controlled Legislature is on the verge of sending Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger a bill that would create a state-run universal health care system, testing him on an issue that voters rate as one of their top concerns in this election year.
On a largely party-line 43-30 vote, the Assembly approved a bill by state Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, that would eliminate private medical insurance plans and establish a statewide health insurance system that would provide coverage to all Californians. The state Senate has already approved the plan once and is expected this week to approve changes that the Assembly made to the bill.
Of course the Democrat’s plan leaves out one very important aspect of the plan: the bill does not account for the costs of the program.
Billy Hollis, a commentor at the Daily Pundit sums up my feelings on why this is such a stupid idea:
If you wanted to design a public policy to draw in parasites and drive off productive citizens, it would be hard to do better than a program such as this.
Well, the bright spot for the rest of us is that we’ll see our own doctor and nurse shortages slightly relieved as medical personnel in California move elsewhere, just as so many of Britain’s NHS personnel have.
Democratic lawmakers are threatening to use this issue against Gov. Schwarzenegger if he vetos the bill. The irony (and the hypocrisy) is that the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Phil Angelides, doesn’t support the Kuehl bill either.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go and find the section of the US Constitution that guarantees free health care to all citizens…
Well, this is a topic that I care about. I do believe in health care assurance for all, b ut it’s the “how” to do this that’s going to make it or break it.
As I read the article,
All private insurance would be eliminated? Does this mean a person cannot have their own insurance regardless?
Funding won’t be decided for years and years. There should be a law that prevents lawmakers from making laws that they can’t fund or enforce. This is absolutely stupid. Some suggest funding it by an 8% payroll tax and a 3% income tax. Gee, that sounds like people who work are going to pay for everybody who doesn’t. Hmmmm I wonder what they’re going to do about the people who don’t or won’t work? Gee, I might choose not to work too in that case. Why not let the guy who works pay for me too??? And, hey, this is California. Of course they’ll provide health care to illegals. They already do.
But, the bottom line is this is going to be fought as a partisan issue, so nothing will get done anyhow, which is unfortunate.
I hope something happens quickly- the current system is killing American manufacturing (and leaving 44 million uninsured…)
Let me guess: Universal Health Care for all the illegals. Oh, wait, they already have it. It’s this type of spending that got Gray Davis thrown out of office. It’s never going to pass.
California Universal Health Care For Residents And Illegal Aliens Bill Passes (SB 880)
The California legislature passed the California Health Insurance Reliability Act (SB 840) with a vote of 43-30. The approval was nearly a party line vote with the Democrats leading the charge. The bill would eliminate private medical insurance plans a…
The governor will veto it. The idiot dems want to roll the clock back to 6 years ago to when the state was on the verge of receivership. Typical.
If they take out an additional 11% so I can pay for yet ANOTHER non-working/illegal/15-baby-having/ crack-smoking/HIV-spreading/drug-abusing/vagrant, I’m going to assume my dead neighbor’s idenity and collect social security benefits as her son’s grandfather’s only living, disabled daughter.
Kristi — I’m glad you’ve found my blog; I’m really enjoying your comments. I think our sense of humor (dark) is pretty similar.
Oh Jeebus- that’s humor…
Universal health care saves money by allowing a state’s citizenry
to languish and/or expire while on waiting lists for the promised care.
This is the same reason that the government has not banned smoking-too much tax revenue
Ricky Bobby-
not to let facts to get in the way of ideology but people are more satisfied with government-sponsored health care in the form or either Medicare or the VA than those who are covered by private insurance.
*gasp* Yes, Preston… try it sometime. You’ll probably discover a new hidden talent.
(thank you, Robbie… I’ve enjoyed your blog!)
KW-
don’t get me wrong- it’s relieving to know it’s a joke.
Preston, my apology to you then. I didn’t know which jeebus you were referencing.
(actually Preston, I do think you’re funny… your rhetoric, Dianne’s wit and -seldom- curse words, and Robbie’s stirring blog are what keeps me looking busy at work, when I’d otherwise rather ram a fork in my temple)
While you’re at it, look up that part of the constitution that:
1.Gives pharmaceutical companies the right to make multi-billion dollar profits at the expense of affordable health care for the average citizen.
2. Gives doctors and hospitals the right to not be sued for gross negligence and incompetence.
3. Gives isurance companies the right to deny medical attention for legitimate illnesses, diseases, and injuries, in addition to enforcing termination of hospital stays long before it is appropriate-when they are not denied outright.
4. Gives any of the above the right to force a large percentage of the American public into bankruptcy and poverty due to exorbitant and at times predatory pricing practices for medical treatment, therapies, and hospitalizations.
Once you finish looking in vain for the constitutional right of any of the above to transpire, I might remind you to look at what is probably the most important words in all the constitution, in which it is bluntly stated that the country and it’s laws are to be enacted for the benefit of all of us. Because of which, our elected leaders are pledged to -
“Promote the GENERAL welfare and provide for the common defense”.
Finally, I would like to know what part of the constitution you find it implied that laws should be made solely for the benefit of the wealthy or big business with the hope-not requirement, mind you, just the vain hope-that in return these individuals and entities out of the kindness of their hearts will look out for the interests and well being of the rest of us.
Re Calif. HB 840 (Univ. Healthcare) I’m a semi-retired American living in Cabo. Here in Mexico – basic healthcare is virtually FREE. Even for Gringos! No one is turned away – even poor Americans knocking on the hospital door.
And Mexico isn’t whinning about all the Gringos running up their health care budget or for educating their kids who are living here. Don’t even begin to think Mexicans are flocking to the USA for free medical care… Why should they? Its already free or nearly so in Mexico. They go to the USA for jobs and expect that the richest country on the planet can afford to care for its workers.
Fact is – a poor Mexican field worker or hotel worker has better access to a doctor or dentist in Mexico than a middle class American who can’t afford American health insurance! $2 to 5 bucks is all it costs for a poor person for a consultation with a doctor at clinics everywhere throughout Mexico.
Mexicans expect health care to be provided by their govt. Its a better use of govt. monies than spending it on wars all over the world don’t you think?
Fact is – since I was a child (over 50 years ago) the USA has always been at war somewhere… Not Mexico. Ever wonder why? Without sounding like a socialist – how about priorities? Did we need Vietnam? What good did it do? For anyone? Or all those piss-ant military involements in Latin America and elsewhere?
One of our dental patients here in Cabo recently had his foot nearly torn off by a shark. Was in the local public hospital for four hours in surgery with four docs and a micro surgeon who reattached all the nerves, vessels etc. Bill was under $500usd. (correct number) Another friend went into shock passing a kidney stone – bill for the house call from an endocrinologist was $35usd.
Another American visiting here in Baja told me he had the same kidney stone problem but in San Francisco California. He paid $5,800usd for the ambulance ride, two cat scans and emergency room charges.
The problem isn’t the illegals jamming up the American health care system – the problem is the structure of the American health care system. In Mexico, Canada, Britain, Germany etc. there is a dual health care system. A Mexican (or expat Gringo) can pay high prices for private care or get most basic service for pennies on the dollar at a public facility vs. costs in the US.
My Mexican cardiologist here charges $50usd for a consultation. An Ear Specialist charged me $35 including a treatment using an intrascopic device used to remove a fungas. Root Canals & porcelain crowns run $250 – $450usd in Baja vs. $800-2,500usd in the States. Same materials same equipment ordered from the same catalogues as American dentists use.
Sorry, but Americans need a little perspective on their health care problem – Western nations with govt. sponsored health care do just fine with a DUAL system. People can then have options. In the USA – Americans don’t have options – pay, go into debt, or be sick or die. Thats the fate of 40 percent of all Americans per the media.
Part of the solution to the American health care crisis begins with govt. paid or subsidized education of medical professionals as in Mexico. So there’s lots of doctors per capita. And they’re not treated like demi-Gods in Mexico. They don’t drive Mercedes and spend a $100,000 for golf club memberships. All the doctors and dentists I know in Los Cabos drive VW’s, Chryslers or Fords.
The medical industry in the USA doesn’t serve the people the way the police, fire, teachers and other public servants do. The American medical industry in the USA serves itself.
David Mandich
San Jose del Cabo
Baja California Sur
Mexico
David:
Medical care in Mexico is a joke. When something really goes wrong with you, I wonder where you will go? It reminds me of my friend who was a doctor in Turkey and told me that Turkey has “universal care” and that he was the “universal care” for about 15,000 people.
Jeremy