All eyes were on California Monday as Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) revealed the state's universal coverage plan. Given that the proposal requires the cooperation of so many interest groups--doctors, hospitals, insurance companies, employers and individuals--it's safe to say that Schwarzenegger's proposal faces a long battle and will undergo significant changes in order to appease everyone involved. Naturally, such an announcement sent the healthcare blogosphere abuzz with observations, criticism and analysis. Here are some of the highlights:
- At The Health Care Blog [1], Matthew Holt congratulates Arnold for "being a proper flip-flopper with real moxie," noting that in 2004 the Governor urged voters to veto a Proposition 72 which mandated employers with more than 20 employees provide healthcare coverage. His new universal health proposal demands pay-or-play for companies with more than 10 employees.
- In the healthcare industry, notes Tony Chen of Hospital Impact [2], it's not you, your doctors or hospitals that have the greatest incentive to keep you healthy. In fact, it's the health insurance companies that benefit most from healthy participants. Because of this lack of incentive, Chen thinks Schwarzenegger has an uphill battle and that "universal healthcare [won't] work in '07--no desperation, no crisis (yet), and thus, not enough political courage."
- The Doctor Weighs In [3], and Arnold gets a pat on the back for his plan. "Kudos to the Governor for pursuing health reform at a time when many consider it the 'third rail' of politics...We will need to debate and tweak the details, but let's not tank the proposal out of narrow self-interest."
- At the Health Care Policy and Marketing Blog [4], Robert Laszewiski urges stakeholders to look beyond their own interests and add to a constructive debate on the best way to cover uninsured Californians. "I am not here to tell you this bill should pass as it is. If it ever does pass, it won't pass as it is," says Laszewiski. However, he thinks we should "give the Governor of California a hand for putting a credible proposal forward--and telling everyone, 'Everything is on the table.'"
What's your take on the Governator's universal health proposal? Email me [5] with your thoughts. - Maureen [6]