Senator George Runner
Serving the 17th District which incorporates portions of the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura and Kern counties.

The Liberal Democrats who control California’s Legislature just don’t get it.

Today, on a party-line 6-3 vote, a universal healthcare plan was passed in the Senate Appropriations Committee – never mind the fact that the plan would cost California taxpayers $100 billion in the first six months and $222 billion-a-year thereafter (more than double the annual state budget).

The universal healthcare plan (Senate Bill 810) promises medical access to all. But in reality, the bill will only create a shortage of doctors, nurses and other health providers who might choose to work in other states or a different field altogether for fear of working in the labyrinth of government bureaucracy, or when they realize the financial compensation provided by the private market vanishes.

A shortage of medical professionals will have a contrary effect on SB 810’s goal of creating access for all. Instead California would become the new poster child for sick people suffering through inappropriately long waits for routine care while also limiting provider choices for patients.

It’s also important to note that SB 810 does not specify a means of generating revenue to pay for the new health system, but instead it hopes to establish a commission that would identify a premium structure. In other words, this bill would make government more bloated than ever while bankrupting the state.

It’s amazing to me that just days after Massachusetts voters (whose government operates a universal health care system) rejected a candidate who supported Obama-care, California liberal Democrats have the temerity to ram a similar proposal down the throats of every Californian.

Are my colleagues on the other side of the aisle ignoring the voice of the people who are hungry for more jobs and less government intrusion? Do the liberals fail to understand that Californians are losing jobs by the thousands every month and struggling to care for their families?

The last thing people want is more government bureaucracy. This message has been made clear not only in Massachusetts, but in New Jersey and Virginia. I have a feeling California voters are going to send the same strong message to liberals in November.

I will keep you posted on any further SB 810 developments.