"Every day the number of businesses, organizations and foundations all over California that supports comprehensive healthcare reform is growing," said Schwarzenegger. "The status quo is unsustainable. It's inexcusable that we have 6.5 million people uninsured, leaving billions in unpaid bills -- costs that are passed on to the rest of us. Businesses see double digit increases in healthcare costs every year some as much as 20 to 30 percent. The hidden tax is a $14.7 billion drain on the bottom lines of businesses and it hurts our economy."
The governor's vision for health reform is an accessible, efficient, and affordable health care system that promotes a healthier California through prevention and wellness and universality of coverage. The Governor's plan requires that health care reform must reflect a "systems" approach that incorporates three essential building blocks in an integrated manner. Some of these building blocks are:
- Requiring all individuals to have a minimum level of coverage (individual mandate).
- Providing low-income individuals affordable coverage.
- Requiring insurers to issue health insurance.
- Increasing Medi-Cal rates significantly.
- Facilitating and enforcing the individual mandate.
The governor's goal is to enact comprehensive health care reform this year.
