Op Eds by Bill

The partial implementation of the federal health care reform, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), has been historic.  Already children with pre-existing medical conditions can no longer be denied health insurance coverage, insurers can no longer put lifetime caps on benefits, and over 400,000 Californians under 26 years of age have gained health insurance coverage under a parent’s plan.  Additional ACA patient protections and expanded eligibility will take effect in January 2014.

With the fall election drawing near, what is the outlook for Gov. Brown’s tax initiative on the November ballot? What are the possible outcomes if it does or does not pass?

The Governor’s proposed tax initiative, Proposition 30, would establish a temporary personal income tax increase on the state’s wealthiest taxpayers for seven years and an increase on all purchases made in California of one-quarter of one percent for four years in order to fund K-12 education, higher education, and public safety.

You serve as Chair of the Assembly Committee on Health, where, among other things, you have focused on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). What is the latest with this act, and what is happening in this area at the national level?

Each year, seven out of 10 American deaths are caused by chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. These same chronic diseases account for more than 75 percent of our nation's healthcare spending. The most distressing part is that these diseases could have been prevented.

The recent announcement by Arysta LifeScience, the manufacturer of the soil fumigant methyl iodide, of its product withdrawal from the California and U.S. markets represents a significant development in the campaign to protect workers, rural residents and the environment from the pesticide's potentially adverse effects.