(Sacramento) – After more than a year of debate and negotiations the historic Democratic health care reform proposal is scheduled for a vote in the State Assembly on Monday (December 17, 2007). Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles) says AB1X will fundamentally alter the way health care is delivered, result in millions of uninsured Californians receiving health care coverage and bring the skyrocketing cost of health care under control which will benefit all Californians, including those who currently have health insurance. The Speaker says approving health care reform will not adversely impact the state’s General Fund budget because the proposed reforms include a dedicated revenue stream. In fact, Speaker Núñez says letting health care get worse by doing nothing won’t make the state’s structural budget imbalance get better. The legislature and the governor can work to address both problems now. Ignoring one over the other means problems down the road for both.  

Here are links to audio of Speaker Fabian Núñez:

Speaker Núñez says AB1X is an historic step towards health care reform.

Speaker Núñez talks about the financing of the Democratic health care reform plan.

Speaker Núñez says the Democratic health care reform plan will benefit all Californians, including those who currently have health insurance.

Speaker Núñez says AB1X has support from many of the major labor unions.

Speaker Núñez says reforming health care will not adversely impact the state’s General Fund budget deficit.