Public Option Not Quite Dead in CA?

Health care measure seeks public option, rollbacks - SF Gate

This is definitely a step forward. There's a lot to be done in order to actually "fix" the health care system as we know it now (though I don't think it could even reasonably be considered a "system"... system is a singular term, what we have now is a fragmented plurality of different interests), but this is significant for all Californians.

The intended ballot measure would basically cut all health insurance rates by 20%, allow for stronger oversight of premiums, and provide for a "public option"-- a non-for-profit, government-run health insurance option designed to compete with the private sector. The logic is that the public option would slow the growth of health care premiums in the private sector by such competition.

But what about single-payer? Maybe because it was never on the table in the national health care law negotiations, so people have simply ignored it. Single-payer health care isn't incremental-- it's a fundamental reform of health care. It is the most equitable and economically sound policy solution to both our nation's rising health care costs and the rising ranks of uninsured. By taking corporate profit out of the equation, you instead ensure money goes toward the actual provision of care. By keeping the current structureless health insurance industry in place there is no guarantee of that happening. Do you know how much money they have with which to lobby? (Hint: enough money to take the option of single-payer off the table entirely.)

Now why is this public option proposal getting attention? Probably because people now know what a public option is as a result of the national debates, few people know much about single-payer, and even fewer people know that there's actually a bill in the CA Legislature right now that would establish single-payer in California. And it's been passed twice, only to suffer the vetoes of our last governor (look up SB 810). Admittedly, the soonest reality of single-payer is still a number of years in the future, considering the current political climate and all budgetary concerns.

But hey. The public option is likely a more politically palatable measure. Although it wouldn't have the same scope of reform as single-payer, it is a proposal that is being funded and has a chance of succeeding in the near future. Shaving 20% off premiums does sound mighty nice, doesn't it? Alas, that would only put us back a couple years in premium levels. But it would be better than nothing; we should pay attention to this one.

Here's another article about it: Consumer Group Pushes Public Insurance Option For State Ballot