California Issues - Health Care Reform

Responsible Action Needed to Improve Health Care for California Families

   The actions lawmakers take on health care this year will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of every Californian.

   Right now, taxpayers spend $19.5 billion on state health programs each year, a figure that is expected to grow dramatically in the coming years. With so much at stake, lawmakers would be wise to conduct a full diagnosis of our health care problems before enacting massive government programs or costly tax hikes.

   But shaping California’s health care future is more than improving statistics or drawing new flow charts - it’s about the real challenges faced by Californians every day to keep their families healthy. Too many working parents are struggling to make ends meet while paying for the quality care their families need.

   Health care costs have skyrocketed in our state in recent years, and many Californians are worried that they won’t be able to afford the treatments they need. Rising costs have especially impacted small businesses, who want to do the right thing and provide health coverage for their hard-working employees. Unfortunately, costly mandates imposed by Sacramento politicians have made it too expensive for them to cover their workers and stay in business.

   Today, I will join small business owners in urging lawmakers to fully consider the impact our health care proposals will have on the economy before rushing into action. If we are to make a real difference in reducing our uninsured population, we must work together to make coverage more affordable for individuals and businesses by easing mandates and expanding health care options.

   California is the second-worst state in the nation for small businesses, who must comply with high tax rates, burdensome regulations, and the constant threat of junk lawsuits just to stay in business. Now Democrats want to make matters even worse, by imposing a costly-new jobs tax on small businesses.

   In addition to a jobs tax on employers, Democrats have proposed the creation of massive new government programs as their solutions for California’s health care problems. Make no mistake, their approach would be a prescription for health care disaster. Imposing a jobs tax could be the final nail in the coffin for small businesses, causing many hard-working Californians to lose their jobs without addressing their lack of health care.

   As we work to improve health care in California, Assembly Republicans want to work toward ensuring quality medical care is available, accessible, and affordable.

   Republicans believe that Californians should have more choices and freedom when it comes to their health coverage. We should not settle for the one-size-fits-all, bureaucratic health plans imposed by Sacramento politicians. Hard working families should be able to shop around and purchase affordable coverage that meets their needs.

   My Republican colleagues and I will advocate for common-sense solutions to our state’s health care problems. One option that should be made available to Californians are health savings accounts. Health savings accounts have enabled more employers to offer coverage to their workers, while lowering medical costs. Under this system, contributions are made to tax-free accounts that may be used by individuals to purchase the health care services that meet their needs. Allowing Californians to enjoy the benefits and freedom of health savings accounts will make a real difference in reducing our uninsured population.

   We have a golden opportunity this year to reform health care in California the right way, giving patients more affordable options and fewer restrictions, while strengthening their relationship with their doctors. I am confident that we can meet our state’s health care challenges if we act responsibly and focus on solutions to the problems faced by real Californians, while resisting the temptation to embrace the failed ways of the past.