🚀 go-pugleaf

NOTE: This message was originally addressed to ALL
      and was forwarded to you by BRAD STENQUIST
                          --------------------
Fm IntrNet:  picard@silcom.com  [ca.general]

       [  Text Continued  ]
Q: What will happen to the California Health System if the Clinton
Plan passes?
A: The Clinton Plan has an option for states to set up a single
payer system, if they so choose.  The Act exceeds all of the
standards set up under the Clinton Plan -- for example, under the
California Health Security Act you will not have to pay more in
order to be able to choose your own doctor.

Q: Who is against this?
A: The Insurance Industry!  They make over $1 billion in profits a
year in California -- how much do you think they are willing to
spend, and how many lies will they tell, to keep making that kind
of money?!

Q: How are providers paid?  And, how are their fees determined?
A: Providers can choose to be reimbursed any of the ways that they
are now -- fee-for-service, capitated (HMO-type), or as salaried
employees of hospitals.  Each provider type (i.e. doctors, social
workers, chiropractors, etc.) will designate someone to negotiate
their fee schedule with the Health Commissioner.  If they are not
paid on time (within 45 days), they will get paid an additional 1%
interest per month.

Q: Isn't this socialized medicine?
A: No!  This is not socialized medicine.  Under the Act, the
doctors & hospitals remain private and must compete for your
business on the basis of the quality of the services they provide
because you have access to any provider or hospital and can go
elsewhere if you are not happy with the quality of the care you
receive (unlike in an HMO where you are stuck).

Q: What will happen to seniors under the California Health Security
Act?  What about Medicare?
A: Seniors will still have all of the benefits that they have under
Medicare, with the added benefit that they will no longer have to
pay any deductible or the 20% copayment required by Medicare Part
B.  In addition, they will get prescription drug benefits and long
term care (which are not covered by Medicare).

Q: What about illegal immigrants?
A: "All Californians who meet residency requirements defined by the
Legislature and certified by the Commissioner are eligible for
covered benefits..."  Currently, you must be legal to be considered
a resident of California.  Only legal California residents will
receive Health Security Cards.  Everyone else will still get
emergency care (as they do now, required by federal law), and
benefit from public health measures (in order to control TB, we
must treat everyone).

Q: Can I still see my own doctor/chiropractor/acupuncturist/social
worker/psychologist?
A: Yes!  Under the California Health Security Act, you can see any
licensed provider (including chiropractors and acupuncturists).

Q: Won't my taxes go up if the California Health Security Act
passes?
A: Yes, you will have to pay an additional 2.5% income tax;
however, this will replace all that you currently must pay in
insurance premiums, deductibles, copayments, and drug costs.  75%
of Californians will pay less under the California Health Security
Act than they currently pay for health care (based on Johns Hopkins
University study).

Q: How does the California Health Security Act compare to the
Clinton Plan?
A: The California Health Security Act meets all of the standards
laid out by the Clinton Plan.  However, the Clinton Plan relies on
the theory of Managed Competition to control costs and places the
very expensive & wasteful insurance industry in charge of our
health care.  The California Health Security Act sets up a publicly
accountable Health Commissioner to oversee a Health Fund that we
pay into through taxes.  Bill Link, the Executive VP of Prudential,
said of Managed Competition, "For Prudential, the best-case
scenario for reform -- preferable even to the status quo -- would
be enactment of a Managed Competition proposal."

Q: What if my employer pays for my health care now?
A: Your employer can continue to pay for your health care.  In
addition to paying the payroll tax your employer may opt to pay
your share, the 2.5% income tax, as well.

Q: Won't the Legislature steal from the Health Security Fund in
times of budget crisis?  What will happen if the Fund runs out of
money?
A: No, the legislatures may not raid our Health Fund -- it is a
separate ear-marked account.  Currently, insurance rates are
experiencing double digit inflation, and services are being limited
by invasive bureaucratic oversight (i.e. managed care).  If we are
put into a position of having to either raise the taxes (which are
fixed into the foreseeable future, unlike insurance premiums) or
cut benefits, at least we have already cut out the fat in the
system -- the huge administrative waste that insurance companies
have (up to 30% of premiums).
--
Captain Picard -- a.k.a Donald Burr of ROCKWELL NETWORK SYSTEMS
7402 Hollister Avenue, Goleta, CA 93117  (805)968-4262 x154
EMAIL: dburr@rns.com  //  PAGER: 897-2809; type your phone number, then [#]
                  Makers of the NETHOPPER router/modem -- email for more info!