Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez:
"I think this is a bill that all Californians can be proud of because it provides universal health care; it has the right affordability provisions in it; and it once again sets a gold standard for California."
Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata:
"This proposal shows significant movement while maintaining the values of AB 8 in terms of affordability and fiscal responsibility."
Richard S. Frankenstein, president of the California Medical Association:
“This proposal could break the logjam on health care reform discussions. Using tobacco dollars to pay for expanded access to health care for Californians is the kind of breakthrough common sense proposal we’ve been looking for this year.”
“This proposal signals a real commitment by legislative leaders to find a way past the current stalemate on health care. We’re hopeful that this proposal provides a path for the Governor and other stakeholders to sit down at the table and finish the job we started last January.”
“Universal access to health care means more Californians getting primary and preventative care, more Californians enrolled in smoking cessation programs, and fewer health care dollars spent on tobacco-related health problems."
Tom Porter, state director AARP
"AARP is very encouraged by the recent health care reform proposal presented by Speaker Nunez and Senator Perata. We believe this proposal constructively addresses the critical issues of affordability and cost containment, and that it therefore represents an important step forward in the effort to achieve real reform this year. AARP has repeatedly said that we could only support an "individual mandate" to purchase health insurance if there were guarantees in place to ensure affordability. This proposal addresses that concern.
AARP now urges the Governor to work with the legislative leaders to reach a final agreement that ensures quality, affordable health care for all Californians."
Health Access, a consumer advocacy group:
"While most organizations are waiting for legislative language to be released later this week, Health Access California and some other consumer groups are pleased with the framework as described. It would dramatically secure and expand public program coverage and group coverage for millions of Californians, making coverage more available and affordable in each of the ways that people get coverage-through public programs, on-the-job benefits, or buying it as individuals. The proposal includes many elements--on public program reforms, insurance market consumer protections, and cost containment provisions--that if passed in any other year would be a major consumer victory in their own right.
Even with all these benefits, consumer advocates will be vigilant when looking at the full legislative language if any population gets more of a burden than a benefit."
Willie Pelote, political director for American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME):
“To have the Assembly now come back with a proposal that tried to at least meet the governor part of the way and address some of the (concerns) he had on the employer mandate…they moved from 7.5 percent to 6.5 percent…I think a lot of that is what we do in politics, try to negotiate a good deal for California. We need our leaders to work together this year to reach an agreement on health care expansion that is comprehensive and cost effective and addresses the health care crisis in the state. I am excited to see what is happening.”
Daniel Curtin, director of the California Conference of Carpenters:
“I think we are really close quite close to getting a historic piece of legislation passed. I think the speaker’s move is another step in the right direction. I don’t think they are done quite yet, but that’s how negotiations work. I think there is much hand-wringing and meshing of teeth about details that aren’t worth making that much noise about.
If they pass this legislation it will be historic in California and America.”
Jose Mejia of the California State Council of Laborers
"On behalf of California State Council of Laborers we commend the Governor, Speaker and the Senate Pro-Tem for their continuing efforts on health care reform. The window of opportunity is here and once again we commend your efforts."
Mike Russo, health care advocate and staff attorney for the California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG):
"We welcome the Speaker's announcement on Tuesday of his plan for health care reform. While the details haven't fully been released, it looks to contain costs, expand coverage, and help consumers get a fair shake when buying insurance.
The Speaker's proposal is a real olive branch to the Governor, since incorporating an individual mandate and decreasing the employer fee go a long way towards meeting him in the middle.
It also pays for reform by levying a tax on cigarettes. A tobacco tax would provide a solid source of funding for health care, while at the same time discouraging a very unhealthy habit. It's win-win for everybody - except maybe for Big Tobacco.
The Speaker's just taken us a big step forward. The negotiations aren't over, but one last push could get us to the health care reform California needs."
Jim Knox, vice president of legislative advocacy for the American Cancer Society, California Division:
“A tobacco tax is absolutely the right revenue source to improve access to health care for Californians. Of all the potential revenue sources for health care, only the tobacco tax will, itself, save lives and reduce health care costs ... We look forward to working on the details of this proposal to ensure that it protects and enhances the state’s existing program to curtail tobacco use, while enabling the fundamental reform needed to provide all Californians with access to adequate, available, affordable and administratively simple health coverage.”
Lucien Wulsin of the Insure the Uninsured Project
"...Speaker Núñez and Senate President Perata have made a serious counter-offer: accepting the individual mandate with proposed hardship exemptions, reducing their proposed payroll tax/fee from 7.5% to 6.5% with further reductions to 4% and 2% of payroll for very small businesses with low payrolls, proposing a cigarette tax increase of $2 per pack and extending the premium subsidy to uninsured families and individuals with incomes up to 450% of FPL whose premium costs would exceed 5% of income...Movement from both sides holds promise that a landmark measure can be negotiated if the Governor and legislative leaders can find the right balance of financing that brings labor and employers, consumers, health plans, doctors and hospitals together in support of the final package for approval by the state’s voters next November."
Nora Vargas, executive director of the Latino Issues Forum:
"With this latest health care proposal, Latino Issues Forum is very encouraged that real reform will be achieved this year. We are still reviewing the details but so far we see promise in the new proposal."