|
|
Press Release |
Contact: |
|
|
|
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Consumers Union strongly opposes Gov. Pete Wilson’s decision to delay virtually all health care reforms, pending hearings of a new Managed Care Task Force. In vetoing one measure yesterday, the Governor demanded a five-month "hiatus" for all reform measures, regardless of their legislative or public support. While Consumers Union holds a seat on the Managed Care Task Force, the organization opposes using those hearings to delay urgently needed reforms.
Created by legislation passed last year, the Task Force is charged with reviewing, reporting and making recommendations regarding health care service plans in California. Jeanne Finberg, senior attorney and policy analyst with Consumers Union, is one of the Task Force’s 30 appointed members. The Task Force began public hearings in May, and is scheduled to issue a report in January.
At the time of her appointment to the Task Force, Finberg said, "Consumers Union hopes that this Task Force will constructively address the need for enforceable consumer protections in managed care plans. We don’t want to see this become a black hole for HMO reform efforts or a perpetual excuse…for neglecting the needs of millions of Californians in managed care."
Yesterday the Governor vetoed a measure that would have permitted women to see OB/GYN physicians without prior HMO approval. In his veto message, the Governor said, "With the establishment of the Task Force, the prudent course of action for the Legislature would be to take a five month hiatus from uncoordinated, reactive, piecemeal decisions on literally dozens of bills." He said he would block all except one HMO-related bill.
"Many of these health care measures have passed the Legislature overwhelmingly after extensive public debate," said Margo Hunter, Fellow for Economic Justice at Consumers Union. "The Governor shouldn’t use the Task Force to single-handedly block these efforts. The Governor has opposed the ballot initiative process as a means toward health care reform. Now he is blocking Legislative action as well."
"The Governor can’t demand a moratorium on illness and accidents," Hunter said. "It’s dangerous to impose a moratorium on protection and coverage for patients."
