Rejection of Obama Care ~ Gives Lawmakers, Governor Opportunity for Do-Over

by Assemblyman Dan Logue
Vice Chairman of The Health Committee

Democrats and Republicans alike are anxiously waiting to see whether the job-killing, government-run health care law signed last year by President Obama survives its legal challenges.  Just last month a federal judge deemed the “lynchpin” component of “ObamaCare”—the individual mandate that requires everyone to purchase the kind of health care coverage the government thinks is best for you—to be unconstitutional.  

Although California has “taken the lead” in advancing ObamaCare, which could cause the collapse of our entire health care delivery system, it is not too late for lawmakers and the Governor to see the writing on the wall and seize the opportunity for a do-over. 

Now is the time to embrace reforms to make health care more affordable and accessible.  Adopting fiscally-responsible reforms can improve the economy and reduce the number of uninsured, without growing government or raising taxes.

Jobs are leaving California because Sacramento has made it too expensive to create and retain them.  This includes health care.  Costly mandates and high taxes imposed by the Legislature have made health care more expensive for providers and employers. 

Instead of nationalizing health care, why not move into the 21st century and give patients more affordable health care choices by allowing out-of-state health plans to sell their products across state lines in California? 

Let’s allow Californians of all income levels to take advantage of personal health accounts, whereby individuals set aside money in tax-free accounts for health care.  These contributions are often matched in whole or part by the employer.  For those on a fixed income, charitable and taxpayer-subsidized contributions to a personal health account could replace our archaic Medi-Cal system.  The key to reform is empowering patients to decide for themselves how to spend health care dollars. 

But replacing ObamaCare with a single payer, or government-run, health care system is the wrong approach.  Under government-run health care, visiting the doctor would be like visiting the DMV – long lines, higher costs and bureaucrats making health care decisions for you.  This will mean higher taxes and fewer jobs.

Working families oppose government-run health care because they know it will hurt their wallets and the economy.  It’s time Sacramento listens to the people for a change and works together to give Californians the affordable health care options they are seeking.  Reforming health care the right way may be just the boost we need to get our economy back on track.

Assemblyman Dan Logue, R-Linda, represents the 3rd Assembly District in the California Legislature.