California Health Care Reform – AB 8 Vetoed! (updated 10/15/07)

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SACRAMENTO  - As expected, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today (October 12) vetoed AB 8, the Democratic health care reform proposal passed on a party-line vote before the Legislature adjourned the 2007 regular session in September.  The veto of AB 8, authored by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez (Democrat - Los Angeles) and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata (Democrat - Oakland), clears the way for the Governor and Democratic leaders to continue talks on a compromise - though some Democrats are less optimistic about any agreement coming soon. 

 

The healthcare reform issue has major impact on children and adults with disabilities, seniors, persons with MS, traumatic brain and other injuries, persons with Alzheimer's and other disorders, and their families, support workers.

 

Meanwhile, Assembly and Senate Republicans have introduced two dozen health reform bills today.

  

The Governor called two special sessions of the Legislature on September 11th - one focusing on health care and the other on the issue of water.  The State Constitution gives the Governor the authority to call special sessions of the Legislature - but the legislative leaders have the power to determine when and how often they will actually meet. 

 

Governor's Veto Message:

To the Members of the California State Assembly:
I am returning Assembly Bill 8 without my signature.
While I appreciate the Legislature’s efforts to reform our broken health care system and applaud the hard work that has gone into AB 8, I cannot sign this bill. AB 8 would put more pressure on an already broken system.
AB 8 does not achieve coverage for all, a critical step needed to reduce health care costs for everyone. Comprehensive reform cannot leave Californians vulnerable to loss or denial of coverage when they need it most. Finally, to be sustainable, comprehensive reform cannot place the majority of the financial burden on any one segment of our economy. Unfortunately, AB 8 falls short on all three accounts.
California needs a financially sustainable health care reform plan that shares responsibility, covers all Californians and keeps our emergency rooms open and operating. I cannot support reform efforts that fall short of these goals and threaten to weaken our already broken system.
Sincerely,
Arnold Schwarzenegger

 

Disability Advocates Agree On Health Care Reform Need - But Divisions on Different Proposals

AB 8 and the Governor's health reform proposal divided some disability and senior advocacy organizations. Some groups were in strong opposition to AB 8 and the Governor's plan - while others are in support.  Some disability and senior advocacy groups cited concerns in both proposals regarding how persons with disabilities and seniors are included in each of the plans, and also issues of affordability and accessibility - including physical accessibility of health facilities.  

 

Many disability and senior advocacy groups continue to strongly support a single payer proposal advanced by Sen. Sheila Kuehl (Democrat - Santa Monica) in SB 840, though that bill is being held in the Legislature until next year and due to opposition from the Governor, is not a option being discussed in the health care reform special session.