California - The Democratic leader of the state Assembly announced a final effort Monday to pass a health care overhaul before the end of the year, proposing a $2-a-pack tax on cigarettes to help expand coverage to all 6.8 million uninsured Californians.
Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, D-Los Angeles, also conceded a major point to Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger by endorsing a mandate that all Californians have health insurance.
Núñez made the concession despite complaints from consumer groups and labor unions that requiring coverage could prove too costly for middle-class families who are uninsured. To soften the blow, Núñez proposed tax credits to help subsidize coverage to families earning as much as $92,000 a year. Full Story
Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, D-Los Angeles, also conceded a major point to Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger by endorsing a mandate that all Californians have health insurance.
Núñez made the concession despite complaints from consumer groups and labor unions that requiring coverage could prove too costly for middle-class families who are uninsured. To soften the blow, Núñez proposed tax credits to help subsidize coverage to families earning as much as $92,000 a year. Full Story
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