What They’re Saying about The Governor’s Comprehensive Health Care Plan
California Association Of Physician Groups President Don Crane – “Governor Has Done A Masterful Job Of Bringing California To The Threshold Of A Critical Decision Regarding The Direction Of Healthcare”: “Governor Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez have done a masterful job of bringing California to the threshold of a critical decision regarding the direction of healthcare in California...California’s network of 150 medical groups applauds the leadership in producing their pending health care reform proposals.” (California Association of Physician Groups, “Physician Groups Support Universal Coverage and Call for Expansion of Coordinated Care Model,” Press Release, 10/8/07)
Latin Business Association Board Chairman Ruben Guerra – Governor’s Proposal Brings All Parties To The Table And Provides “Efficient And Affordable Health Care”: “The decision of the LBA Board of Directors to endorse the Governor’s health care reform plan represents a major step forward in providing health care to all Californians. As Latino business owners we are ready to assume our fair share in a collective and comprehensive manner. This proposal brings individuals, government, doctors and hospitals, insurers and employers together to help create a model that provides efficient and affordable health care.” (Latin Business Association, “Latin Business Association Endorses Governor Schwarzenegger’s Health Care Proposal,” Press Release, 10/4/07)
Silicon Valley Leadership Group Chief Executive Carl Guardino – Governor Has “Vision And Fortitude” To “Focus California” On Reform: “Last fall, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had the vision and fortitude to focus California on comprehensive health care reform, risking slings and arrows from some special interests and both sides of the political aisle. To support the governor, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group in January organized a summit, hosted by Seagate Technology Chief Executive Bill Watkins, that included 25 high-tech CEOs from companies ranging from Fortune 100 companies to struggling start-ups. We are now heartened to see that other respected employer groups, such as the Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Jose Silicon Valley chambers of commerce, have come on board.” (Carl Guardino, Op-Ed, “Health Care Reform, Water Plan Crucial,” San Jose Mercury News, 10/4/07)
Barton HealthCare System CEO John Williams – Governor Has “Embarked On A Bold Initiative,” “Everyone Must Share The Responsibility For Reforms”: “Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger embarked on a bold initiative to provide health care coverage to more Californians by reforming the current employer-based health care system… At a time when the state's health care system is on the verge of a meltdown, everyone must share the responsibility for creating reforms that expand coverage to the uninsured, protect the long-term stability of community hospitals and safeguard patients' access to care.” (John Williams, Op-Ed, “Barton's CEO Agrees: California Needs Health Care Reform,” Tahoe Daily Tribune, 10/3/07)
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Randy Gordon: “Chamber Has Long Been Opposed To Employer Mandates,” But “Schwarzenegger Plan Transcends Such Proposals”: “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…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.” (Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, “Chamber Tackles Broken Healthcare System, Endorses Gov's Plan,” Press Release, 9/28/07)
San Francisco Chamber Of Commerce President And CEO Steve Falk – “Chamber Agrees With The Governor's Proposal” And The Need For “Shared Responsibility”: “California desperately needs comprehensive reform that makes health care more affordable so that the insured no longer pay higher premiums in order to cover the uninsured…There needs to be shared responsibility for health care, with mandatory participation by employers and individuals. The Chamber agrees with the Governor's proposal for a reasonable 4 percent payroll fee on employers with 10 or more employees. Statewide reform that includes shared responsibility for paying for health care is preferable to either a local mandate or the status quo.” (San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, “SF Chamber Endorses Governor Schwarzenegger's Health Care Proposal, Press Release, 9/28/07)
San Diego Regional Chamber Of Commerce President And CEO Ruben Barrales – Chamber “Strongly Encourages State Legislators To Use [Governor’s Plan] As A Model For Health Care Negotiations”: “The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce has today reiterated its support for Governor Schwarzenegger's approach to health care reform, and strongly encourages state legislators to use it as a model for health care negotiations underway during the special session. ‘The Governor has always pledged that a viable healthcare reform plan cannot place an unfair financial burden on businesses.’ said Ruben Barrales, President and CEO of the Chamber. ‘I commend the Governor's leadership in holding a special session to solve the problem we face in California.’” (San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, “San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce Endorses Governor Schwarzenegger's Health Care Proposal,” Press Release, 9/28/07)
San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber Of Commerce President And CEO Pat Dando – “Reform Based On Shared Responsibility Will Benefit Everyone”: “The Governor has made it clear that piecemeal reform is not an option…Comprehensive reform based on shared responsibility will benefit everyone, without placing the lion’s share of financial responsibility at the doorsteps of businesses. Additionally, it puts more emphasis on preventive care and wellness, which the SJSV Chamber continues to advocate through its GoWell! Summits and continued community outreach.” (San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, “San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber Of Commerce Endorses Governor Schwarzenegger’s Health Care Proposal,” Press Release, 9/28/07)
National Association Of Women Business Owners- Los Angeles Chapter CEO Helen Han – “We Support The Governor’s Plan” And “Recognize Our Shared Responsibility To Be Part Of The Solution”: “We support the governor’s plan because it addresses globally the challenge of providing comprehensive, affordable coverage to all Californians. As business owners with an important perspective and a critical stake in the future of our state, we recognize our shared responsibility to be part of the solution. We want to help foster a complete, not partial, fix for one of our society’s most significant challenges.” (National Association Of Women Business Owners-Los Angeles, “National Association Of Women Business Owners-Los Angeles (NAWBO-LA) Supports The Governor’s Plan On Comprehensive Health Care Reform,” Press Release, 9/18/07)
Los Angeles Area Chamber Of Commerce President And CEO Gary Toebben – Chamber “Supports The Governor’s Proposal” Which Promotes The “Wellness, Preventive Care, Consumer Responsibility And Transparency Needed To Reduce Rising Costs”: “The decision by the L.A. Area Chamber Board of Directors represents a major step forward in providing health insurance to all Californians, while ensuring that businesses are not left standing alone to pay the bill...The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce supports the Governor’s proposal as it promotes the wellness, preventive care, consumer responsibility and transparency that will be needed to reduce the rising costs of health care delivery.” (Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, “Los Angeles Area Chamber Of Commerce Endorses Governor Schwarzenegger’s Health Care Proposal,” Press Release, 9/17/07)
Safeway CEO And Coalition To Advance Healthcare Reform Chairman Steve Burd – Governor Has “Made Health Care Reform His Top Priority” And His “Leadership” Has Persuaded Others That Reform Is Needed: “The good news is that thanks to our governor, who has made health care reform his top priority and leaders in both legislative houses who are committed to solving this problem, California has the unprecedented opportunity to change this broken system this year. Their leadership has persuaded a growing number of businesses that health care reform is needed. Companies in almost every sector of the economy, from grocers, technology firms and financial institutions to restaurants, hospitals and retailers, believe that they must be part of the solution.” (Steve Burd, CEO of Safeway and Chairman of the Coalition To Advance Healthcare Reform, “California's Leaders Can Still Solve Health Care Crisis,” San Jose Mercury News, 9/14/07)
Children’s Hospital Central California President And CEO William F. Haug – Governor Has Shown “Leadership, Courage And Vision In Seeking Comprehensive Health Care Reform In California”: “On behalf of Children’s Hospital Central California, I want to thank the Governor for his leadership, courage and vision in seeking comprehensive health care reform in California…By increasing federal dollars, the Governor’s health care reform proposal will create a stable source of funding, and as the Governor indicated, that will result in increased Medi-Cal reimbursement for hospitals, particularly Children’s Hospital Central California.” (Governor’s Press Office, “Governor Holds Press Conference on Health Care Reform,” Speech, 9/13/07)
California Conference Of Carpenters Director Danny Curtin – Governor Has Put Health Care Reform “Front And Center,” Plan Shares Responsibility Which Is “The Way It Has To Be”: “I also want to add my congratulations and thanks to the Governor for bringing this issue and putting it front and center… Part of this plan is to share the costs so that everybody contributes and everybody can be covered. That’s the way it has to be, or else it just won’t happen.” (Governor’s Press Office, “Governor Holds Press Conference on Health Care Reform,” Speech, 9/13/07)
Latino Coalition For A Healthy California Executive Director Lupe Alonzo-Diaz – “I Want To Commend The Governor For His Leadership On This Issue”: “I want to commend the Governor for his leadership on this issue…I think that with everybody involved, with the Governor’s leadership and everybody coming to understand that health care is a very important issue, and if we can get this done, absolutely, I think the rest of the nation will definitely follow.” (Governor’s Press Office, “Governor Holds Press Conference on Health Care Reform,” Speech, 9/13/07)
California Restaurant Association President And CEO Jot Condie – CRA Supports “Shared Responsibility” And “Governor’s Call For A Special Session”: “The CRA supports health care reform that embodies the principle of shared responsibility…The CRA supports the Governor’s call for a special session to continue working on this important issue.” (California Restaurant Association, “California Restaurant Association Responds to Passage of Assembly Bill 8,” Press Release, 9/11/07)
Orange County Business Council President And CEO Lucy Dunn – “Healthcare Reform Is Tremendously Complex, And OCBC Praises The Governor For His Efforts To Guide This Process”: “The Orange County Business Council (OCBC) today sent a letter to Governor Schwarzenegger supporting his five principles for reforming California’s healthcare delivery systems. OCBC supports economically sound and reasonable reforms that increase access to healthcare for all Californians, while rewarding healthy choices and decreasing costs…’Healthcare reform is tremendously complex, and OCBC praises the governor for his efforts to guide this process,’ said Dunn.” (Orange County Business Council, “Orange County Employers Advocate For Comprehensive, Fair Reforms To Healthcare System,” Press Release, 9/11/07)
Catholic Healthcare West President And CEO Lloyd Dean – CHW “Wholeheartedly Supports A Comprehensive Approach That Includes Shared Responsibility, Coverage For All People”: “Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) supports Governor Schwarzenegger's call for a special legislative session to achieve comprehensive healthcare reform and give the people of California a better future…Catholic Healthcare West has been fully engaged in California's healthcare reform debate and wholeheartedly supports a comprehensive approach that includes shared responsibility, coverage for all people, a stabilized financing system, a greater focus on quality, and improved accountability.” (Catholic Healthcare West, “Catholic Healthcare West Endorses Call For Special Session On Healthcare Reform,” Press Release, 9/10/07)
California Hospital Association President C. Duane Dauner – CHA “Supports Governor’s Proposal,” And Is “Committed To Expanding Health Care Coverage To All Californians”: “The California Hospital Association (CHA) Board of Trustees today reached an agreement to support Governor Schwarzenegger’s health care reform proposal. The CHA Board made clear that all of the provisions which have been agreed to by the Governor and CHA’s Executive Committee must be enacted. This agreement includes a comprehensive legislative package and a 2008 ballot initiative…CHA has worked with the Administration and other stakeholders over the past several months to reach agreement on a comprehensive health care reform package. The Association remains committed to expanding health care coverage to all Californians. Today’s decision by the CHA Board of Trustees represents a major step forward toward achieving this bold and visionary objective.” (California Hospital Association, “California Hospitals Reach Agreement on Governor’s Health Reform Proposal,” Press Release, 9/6/07)
San Diego North Chamber Of Commerce Chair James Roth – Support Is “Loud And Clear” For Governor’s Plan: “The San Diego North Chamber of Commerce recently polled our membership to gauge their view towards Governor Schwarzenegger’s five planks for health care reform. A strong majority of our members, representing businesses of all sizes and types, responded overwhelmingly in favor of all five planks. Our membership told us loud and clear that as Californians debate various approaches and proposals for health care coverage and reform, San Diego North Chamber of Commerce agrees in principal with the five planks articulated by Governor Schwarzenegger.” (Governor’s Press Office, “Gov. Schwarzenegger Joins Broad Coalition in Support of Comprehensive Health Care Reform,” Speech, 8/31/07)
Bumble Bee Foods President And CEO Christopher D. Lischewski – Governor’s Plan “A Very Good Starting Point”: “The Governor has put forward a plan that in our view is a good starting point for reform discussions. His plan is comprehensive, shares responsibility for costs between government, business and individuals, covers every Californian, and incorporates prevention and wellness programs to reduce costs in both the short and long term. It relies on the foundation of a market-based system.” (Governor’s Press Office, “Gov. Schwarzenegger Joins Broad Coalition in Support of Comprehensive Health Care Reform,” Speech, 8/31/07)
Scripps Healthcare President And CEO Chris Van Gorder – Governor’s Plan “The Only Solution”: “But I can tell you that we can solve this problem with each other, each of us, contributing, each of the groups that I’ve mentioned participating in the solution. The only solution to this problem with a comprehensive, multi-faceted plan, is the plan that has been introduced by Governor Schwarzenegger and his administration. I believe that it has a reasonably good, if not an excellent chance of solving the crisis in our state.” (Governor’s Press Office, “Gov. Schwarzenegger Joins Broad Coalition in Support of Comprehensive Health Care Reform,” Speech, 8/31/07)
24 Hour Fitness Founder And Board Chairman Mark Mastrov – Governor’s Shared Approach Is “Smart” And “Necessary”: “I think that, as we all have heard, health care reform is an important aspect, basically facing the state right now, and I think the shared approach that the Governor has put forth is not only smart but necessary, as something that we in the business community have spent a lot of time talking about, and very excited to see finally get pushed through, and are very hopeful that it can happen.” (Governor’s Press Office, “Gov. Schwarzenegger Joins Broad Coalition in Support of Comprehensive Health Care Reform,” Speech, 8/31/07)
