Vetoed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

Full Bill Text
Veto Letter

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that establishes the California Healthcare System to provide single-payer, universal health insurance for all California residents based on physical presence in the state with intent to reside.

Highlights:

- Provides benefits that include, but are not limited to [sec. 1 (140501)]:

- Inpatient and outpatient health facility services; - Inpatient and outpatient professional health care services; - Language interpretation and translation for health care services; - Rehabilitative care; - Home health care; - Prescription drugs listed on the formulary; - Mental and behavioral health care; - Dental care; - Chiropractic care; - Vision care; and - Substance abuse treatment.

- Prohibits coverage of surgery, dermatology, orthodontia, prescription drugs, or other services affiliated with cosmetic care unless such services are necessary to restore a congenital defect, correct a part of the body that has been altered, or if a licensed health care provider deems it medically necessary [sec. 1 (140503)]. - Allows eligible individuals to choose their own primary care provider, including family practitioners, general practitioners, nurse practitioners, pediatricians, physician assistants, and internists. Women are also permitted to choose an OBGYN, in addition to a primary care provider [sec. 1 (140600) (f) (1)]. - Allows households with an income that is equal to or less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level to be eligible for no-cost Medi-Cal [sec. 1 (140500.01)]. - Authorizes the commissioner to impose a deductible payment and copayment of $250 per individual and $500 per family each year, beginning in the third year that the Healthcare System is in effect [sec. 1 (140504) (b)]. - Establishes the California Healthcare Premium Commission, composed of 21 members, including elected and appointed state officials, health economists, and representatives of business, labor and non-profit and taxation policy organizations. The commission will assess the costs of the Healthcare System, and submit to the Governor and Legislature a premium structure by January 1, 2011 [sec. 1 (140230-140235)]. - Provides that if there is an influx of people into the state as a result of this Healthcare System, the commissioner will determine a standard to establish an eligibility waiting period [sec. 1 (140406) (e)]. - Authorizes the commissioner to determine standards for temporary out-of-state residents [sec. 1 (140400-140402)].

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the California Healthcare System to provide single-payer, universal health insurance to all California residents based on physical presence in the state with intent to reside.

Highlights:

- Provides benefits that include, but are not limited to [sec. 1 (140501)]:

- Inpatient and outpatient health facility services; - Inpatient and outpatient professional health care services; - Language interpretation and translation for health care services; - Rehabilitative care; - Home health care; - Prescription drugs listed on the formulary; - Mental and behavioral health care; - Dental care; - Chiropractic care; - Vision care; and - Substance abuse treatment.

- Prohibits coverage of surgery, dermatology, orthodontia, prescription drugs, or other services affiliated with cosmetic care unless such services are necessary to restore a congenital defect, correct a part of the body that has been altered, or if a licensed health care provider deems it medically necessary [sec. 1 (140503)]. - Allows eligible individuals to choose their own primary care provider, including family practitioners, general practitioners, nurse practitioners, pediatricians, physician assistants, and internists. Women are also permitted to choose an OBGYN, in addition to a primary care provider [sec. 1 (140600) (f) (1)]. - Allows households with an income that is equal to or less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level to be eligible for no-cost Medi-Cal [sec. 1 (140500.01)]. - Authorizes the commissioner to impose a deductible payment and copayment of $250 per individual and $500 per family each year, beginning in the third year that the Healthcare System is in effect [sec. 1 (140504) (b)]. - Establishes the California Healthcare Premium Commission, composed of 21 members, including elected and appointed state officials, health economists, and representatives of business, labor and non-profit and taxation policy organizations. The commission will assess the costs of the Healthcare System, and submit to the Governor and Legislature a premium structure by January 1, 2011 [sec. 1 (140230-140235)]. - Provides that if there is an influx of people into the state as a result of this Healthcare System, the commissioner will determine a standard to establish an eligibility waiting period [sec. 1 (140406) (e)]. - Authorizes the commissioner to determine standards for temporary out-of-state residents [sec. 1 (140400-140402)].

Full Bill Text

Highlights:

-Creates the California Universal Health Care Agency with a commissioner to be appointed by the governor and subject to the approval of the senate (Sec. 1). -Grants the commissioner and the Agency the power and responsibility to exert influence over the price of medicine and encourage medical research (Sec. 1). -Creates an Office of Patient Advocacy within the California Universal Health Care Agency to represent the interests of patients (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text