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WP: Calif. Universal health measure advances

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One step closer but it still might be a long shot. According to the Washington Post:

A proposal to eliminate health insurance companies and guarantee government-funded health care for all California residents is moving forward.

The Senate Health Committee voted Wednesday to send the measure to the Appropriations Committee. The vote came after hundreds of nurses clad in red held a rally in Sacramento, marched to the state Capitol and packed into a committee room.

The proposal is promoted by the state’s powerful nursing union and two Democratic senators who say California should create a national model for providing health care for everyone.

Critics say the measure would disrupt the health care used by millions of Californians, would require high taxes and would likely create longer waits to see a doctor.

Also according to the Associate Press, Trump would still need to sign off on it in some way:

Even if it were to clear the Legislature and be signed by Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown, it would require cooperation from Trump's administration to waive rules about federal Medicare and Medicaid dollars.

Edit 2: for all those interested in the tax burden. It's pretty significant, around $106 Billion in additional tax revenue:

Lara and Atkins are relying on the federal government’s approval to divert $261 billion of federal dollars currently sent to California to pay for Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act, among other programs. Under this new program, that money would be set aside in a trust fund.

But the cost to cover everyone else who has employer-provided insurance would be staggering: about $106.5 billion in tax revenue, according to a UCLA Center for Health Policy Research study.

Edit 1: if anyone wants to check out the bill, you can find it here http://oneplanmychoice.com

Lock if old.
 

Chris R

Member
Trump should sign it.

Best case for him, it blows up and he says, see, I let them do what they want and it's terrible. Worst case, it's great, but he can also claim that it's because of him.
 

Syncytia

Member
I really hope they go through with this just to get in a battle with Trump.

Universal coverage AND get rid of health insurance companies? The fight will be beautiful.
 
We'll see what happens when the formal tax costs are announced. Expect it to be the killing blow.
Yup. California all ready has the highest tax rates in the US. I don't mind paying more but it's gonna be rough and I expect a sufficient amount of backlash.
 

Xe4

Banned
Not gonna happen. If Vermont of all places can't institute healthcare, I can't see California being able too. Not to mention, people will see how much it'll raise their taxes and loose their god damn mind.

On top of even that, you can guarantee the health care industry is going to be running hard against this measure, which will make matters even worse. And then it has to get past Trump. Nice to dream though, I guess.
 

jimmypython

Member
At this point, Trump will probably sign anything for his "100 day" thing. But of course it may not be able to move that fast on the state level lol
 

Goro Majima

Kitty Genovese Member
If the tax burden is extremely high on the wealthy, I'm curious to see if there's a significant flight of wealth from California to other states. It would definitely be a good barometer for the rest of the country.
 

guek

Banned
I hope it happens, even if I'm doubtful. I'm tired of constantly seeing prople say UH can't pass in any state so we shouldn't even try.
 
If the tax burden is extremely high on the wealthy, I'm curious to see if there's a significant flight of wealth from California to other states. It would definitely be a good barometer for the rest of the country.

Could be a good thing. Real estate prices might finally come down as a result. The average home price in CA is being lopsidedly influenced by the mega rich inflating prices for all.

But I doubt it. California has real intrinsic value of superb climate, industries, geographical beauty and strategic location. Not to mention at least two powerful world city/metro that shape culture and the economy of not just the USA but the world. Cost of living is already pretty high compared to the rest of the country here yet more and more people are still coming.
 
If the tax burden is extremely high on the wealthy, I'm curious to see if there's a significant flight of wealth from California to other states. It would definitely be a good barometer for the rest of the country.
Hence it needs to be done at the federal level.
 

guek

Banned
Could be a good thing. Real estate prices might finally come down as a result.

But I doubt it. California has real intrinsic value of weather, industry, geographical beauty and strategic location. Cost of living is already pretty high compared to the rest of the country here yet more and more people are still coming.
Cost of living is so high, it almost feels like I'm in a different country whenever I visit my parents.
 
Cost of living is so high, it almost feels like I'm in a different country whenever I visit my parents.
Im not sure if your sarcastic, but are we really that different?! I've onle really been to New York so my knowledge on prices of other states is pretty low.
 

Lemaitre

Banned
For the love of god Cali

giphy.gif
 
Im not sure if your sarcastic, but are we really that different?! I've onle really been to New York so my knowledge on prices of other states is pretty low.

Even within CA, the price difference between cost of living is pretty drastic. I live in LA and visit my parents often in LA. OC prices are a good 10 to 15%% cheaper on basic stuff like groceries, etc.
 

Volimar

Member
Longer waits to see a doctor is such a "fuck you, got mine" argument. Oh gosh I have to wait a while longer while other people get access to healthcare? Not in my state, peasants!
 
vs Idaho.

Idaho

Lmao. The only things I know about Idaho are potatoes and Sacagawea.

Even within CA, the price difference between cost of living is pretty drastic. I live in LA and visit my parents often in LA. OC prices are a good 10 to 15%% cheaper on basic stuff like groceries, etc.

Maybe I've grown use to it. I travel to SoCal every year and visit the Bay quite frequently so I'm probably indifferent to high prices. (From the Central Valley)
 
Yes! Do it!


Longer lines they say.. Yeaah, because sick people might actually be compelled to go to the hospital when they need to.
 

old

Member
Are they budgeting for all the sick people who will pick up and move to California to get health care?
 
as much as i've dreaded the possibility of moving to L.A. to further my career, the combination of legal weed and universal healthcare would definitely soften the blow
 

Gallbaro

Banned
Could be a good thing. Real estate prices might finally come down as a result. The average home price in CA is being lopsidedly influenced by the mega rich inflating prices for all.

But I doubt it. California has real intrinsic value of superb climate, industries, geographical beauty and strategic location. Not to mention at least two powerful world city/metro that shape culture and the economy of not just the USA but the world. Cost of living is already pretty high compared to the rest of the country here yet more and more people are still coming.

The only thing causing high real estate prices in California are home owners and rent controlled tenets banding together to stop new construction.

https://www.vox.com/2016/8/8/12390048/san-francisco-housing-costs-tokyo
 
Can universal healthcare work on a state level? My fear is that this passes and is implemented only to fail miserably because you don't have the full weight of the country to absorb costs.
 

Gallbaro

Banned
Can universal healthcare work on a state level? My fear is that this passes and is implemented only to fail miserably because you don't have the full weight of the country to absorb costs.

Why is it any different than other state issued welfare programs with residency requirements?
 

Extollere

Sucks at poetry
Can universal healthcare work on a state level? My fear is that this passes and is implemented only to fail miserably because you don't have the full weight of the country to absorb costs.

It's not like you have to insure the rest of the country too :p California is the world's 6th largest economy, they have 40 million residents, and a good workforce. They're basically their own country. I don't see why this can't work if properly implemented and well run.

Of course there will be a fucking fight the whole way, and people willing to point out the flaws and say that UHC doesn't work the moment they spot any kinks. Obamacare took several years to iron itself out. I could see this taking much longer, but who knows.
 

Gallbaro

Banned
It's not like you have to insure the rest of the country too :p California is the world's 6th largest economy, they have 40 million residents, and a good workforce. They're basically their own country. I don't see why this can't work if properly implemented and well run.

Of course there will be a fucking fight the whole way, and people willing to point out the flaws and say that UHC doesn't work the moment they spot any kinks. Obamacare took several years to iron itself out. I could see this taking much longer, but who knows.

That never happened.
 
as much as i've dreaded the possibility of moving to L.A. to further my career, the combination of legal weed and universal healthcare would definitely soften the blow

What industry are you in? I'm studying audio engineering right now and will also have to move down to LA from SF. At least it's cheaper for me...

On topic, I'm with this. Hope we get to try it.
 

Hale-XF11

Member
would likely create longer waits to see a doctor.

Just want to point out what a giant load of shit this statement is, because I keep hearing it all the time from people who oppose universal health care. As it currently stands, I have to wait up to 6 months or longer to see any kind of specialist under my ACA plan. Sometimes 1-2 months just to see my regular family physician. So basically, things are already fucked in that regard because doctors are overloaded.
 

Zips

Member
Should be presented as a comparison of how much state residents currently pay for (quality) insurance vs. what they would be paying for universal coverage. Taxes would increase, yes, but if everyone is paying and no longer paying towards for-profit private companies, how much difference would there be while getting a huge increase in accessibility.
 

Gallbaro

Banned
Should be presented as a comparison of how much state residents currently pay for (quality) insurance vs. what they would be paying for universal coverage. Taxes would increase, yes, but if everyone is paying and no longer paying towards for-profit private companies, how much difference would there be while getting a huge increase in accessibility.

The problem is most of these people do not realize what their actual wage is. Health care and payroll taxes have been hidden raises for the past 20 years.

The problem with the Dems is wages have not stagnated, costs have gone up. Politically that is a very complex argument to make.
 
Why is it any different than other state issued welfare programs with residency requirements?
Because healthcare tends to be a completely different beast versus WIC or unemployment.
It's not like you have to insure the rest of the country too :p California is the world's 6th largest economy, they have 40 million residents, and a good workforce. They're basically their own country. I don't see why this can't work if properly implemented and well run.

Of course there will be a fucking fight the whole way, and people willing to point out the flaws and say that UHC doesn't work the moment they spot any kinks. Obamacare took several years to iron itself out. I could see this taking much longer, but who knows.
Yeah that's true on the economy front. I hope it can get through the hurdles and be implemented effectively.
 

LaNaranja

Member
I don't make much money as it is but I would gladly have more of my paycheck taken if it meant everyone in the state got health care. Who gives a flying fuck about money when we are talking about people's health?
 
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