Do you remember Mr. Schwarzenegger, former Hollywood action hero and the famous bodybuilder? He is now the honorable Governor of California and is once again at the center of debate with his controversial mandatory medical insurance plan. Now days he is too busy attending seminars and lectures convincing people on the very need of taking care of one’s own health and thereby having medical insurance.
Observing decreasing health care awareness during the recent times, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has planned for mandatory medical insurance for all with a proposed expenditure of massive $12 billion-a-year. Though, the viability of such proposal is yet to be studied, but it has certainly able to draw people’s attention towards the core issue of California’s health system. A strong debate has been kicked off following the Governor’s remark. But, Arnold is in no mood to give up his dream project.
Democrats have little support for the governor’s proposed health plan; and without their active support, it is virtually very difficult for the governor to sail through the plan. Of course, the democrats are not completely against the project. Even, initially they were with the governor. But the present stand off between them have started on the issue of funding huge $12 billion-a-year set aside by the governor for the project. Around 18.5 percent of California’s population is without any medical insurance and the situation may become catastrophic for California’s health if no fruitful steps are taken immediately.
Democratic lawmakers have proposed a parallel plan on the subject, in which they have suggested for only employers contributions for funding against the governors intention of ensuring fund through shared contributions from employers, physicians and hospitals coupled with increased federal funds. Democrats’ main point of argument is that the governor’s plan is bound to impose increased fees on the hospitals and physicians. The contentious issue of California has given a new dimension on the America’s political environment on the backdrop of forthcoming presidential election.
The plan, of course, has not been introduced just now; it had been announced in last January. But the issue got momentum only recently. It has now become a matter of survival for both the democrats’ and the governor. Surprisingly, the governor’s own party is calm on the issue. There is every possibility that the governor’s plan might not pass through the mandatory two-thirds majority in the Legislature. And seeing the situation going against him, governor has, on the last week of August, threatened to impose veto on the opposition’s health plan.
With both parties adamant on their respective demands, it is less likely that there will be any immediate solution other than discarding the plan for a better one to search. Let us hope a better health for the California!
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