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Healthcare
 September
28, 2007
Long Beach Chamber
Tackles Broken Healthcare System, Endorses Governor's Plan
Business leaders promote shared responsibility as key to reform
 The Long Beach Chamber endorsed Governor Schwarzenegger’s health
care reform proposal today after months of discussions and
conversations with its members, hospital CEO’s and
Administration staff.
With 6.5 million Californians uninsured for all or part of the
year – more than any other state in the nation – the Long Beach
business community endorsed Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
comprehensive plan to reform California's broken health care
system by addressing the hidden costs that result in billions of
dollars in higher premiums and taxes.
The Governor’s proposal would impose a four percent payroll fee
on employers with 10 FTE (full-time equivalent) employees or
more who do not offer employee health insurance coverage. While
no proposal reflects every concern of every stakeholder, the
Governor’s proposal comes closest to sharing responsibility
among as many different stakeholders as possible.
Citing that concept of shared responsibility, Chamber leaders
endorsed the Governor’s plan as the model the State Legislature
should use to craft health care reform during the Special
Session. The Chamber’s support for the Governor’s plan does not
extend to how the final legislation may look. The Chamber will
adopt a public position once it is taken up in by the
Legislature.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger:
“The Long Beach Chamber knows that comprehensive health care
reform is good for business,” said Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger. “Health care costs are spiraling out of control
for businesses and workers, making it harder for them to
compete. My plan would reduce the approximately $14 billion
hidden tax employers pay every year bringing costs down for
everyone.”
Matt Kinley, Chairman of the Board:
“While we still have concerns, the Chamber supports Governor
Schwarzenegger’s approach. More importantly, the Long Beach
business community cannot stand along the sidelines and not be a
voice for the job-creators and small businesses of this
community. The cost of doing nothing far outweighs the risks of
taking on this challenge.”
Byron Schweigert, Immediate-Past Chairman:
“With the prospect of healthcare reform being imminent, it is
more important now than ever for business to get involved in the
health care debate. The Governor is on the right track and has
done an amazing job of promoting a dialogue by calling both
parties together during the special session to address the
health care challenges within California.”
Randy Gordon, President and CEO:
“The Chamber has long been opposed to employer mandates and
legislation that creates a State-run health bureaucracy. The
Schwarzenegger Plan transcends such proposals, understanding
that employees, employers, care providers and health plans must
be proactive about healthcare.” Mr. Gordon continued,
“Eliminating the hidden tax will bring down costs and overhead
that small businesses pay in coverage each year, while also
resulting in a more competitive market for healthcare.”
Click
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