Capitol Updates

SACRAMENTO - Affirming their commitment to ensure every California citizen has access to the quality health care they deserve to lead healthy lives, Assembly Republicans today visited Mercy General Hospital to unveil 18 health care reform measures that will maximize choice, reduce costs and increase access to care for all Californians - without costly new mandates, tax hikes or government programs.

"The health care reforms proposed by Assembly Republicans will ensure that every Californian can pick the type of health coverage they want, at a lower cost, while increasing access to the quality medical care they deserve in a fiscally-responsible manner," Villines said.   "Our reforms will improve health care in California without creating new government programs or imposing higher taxes on California's working families and employers."

Among the reforms announced today is a measure giving individuals and businesses, not Sacramento politicians, the power to decide what benefits are included in their health plans so they can receive coverage tailored to their individual health needs that fit within the confines of their budgets.  Another measure would eliminate bureaucratic laws that stand in the way of establishing more walk-in neighborhood health clinics, to expand access to convenient health services around the state. 

Republicans also proposed changing the state's outdated tax laws so Californians can enjoy the tax benefits of health savings accounts.  Under health savings accounts, individuals or employers contribute every month to tax-free accounts that build up over time, and can be used by individuals to purchase health care services that meet their needs.

"Shaping California's health care future is not about faceless statistics or confusing words that only doctors or insurance companies can understand," Villines said.  "It's about the real world challenges faced by Californians every day to afford the health care they deserve to keep their families healthy.  Our reforms will not only help the uninsured gain access to health care, but they will also strengthen the system so the millions who currently have health coverage don't lose it."

**Brief summaries of the Assembly Republican health care reform measures can be seen by clicking here.**