Where Are We Going On the Road to Healthcare Reform? In CA, Governor Just Drove Us into a Ditch

Has the Governor changed his mind about trying to fix our healthcare? Anyone who’s been following the Governor’s healthcare budget cuts and vetoes this week might think so. 

Governor Schwarzenegger, 2006-07 Wanted to expand coverage for low- and moderate-income Californians. Wanted all California kids to be covered. Wanted to make sure that people with pre-existing conditions could get coverage. Agreed to a provision that would require insurers to spend 85% of the money they collect in premiums on providing healthcare. Approved a program that helps seniors and other Californians afford prescription drugs.

Governor Schwarzenegger, 2008 Proposed to remove 1 million Californians from public coverage. Signed a budget that will kick 250,000 kids off their healthcare plan. Vetoed a bill that would have provided coverage to Californians who can’t get coverage on the open market. Vetoed a bill with the same requirement. Vetoed a bill with the same requirement.

How do you go about fixing healthcare after you've spent a year making it worse? The Governor has some explaining to do. In the meantime, we’ll have to dig ourselves out of the hole first and then reclaim forward momentum and leadership for quality, affordable healthcare.