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Cal Nurses Association Wary of Healthcare Reform Direction

Some big players in California are lining up against the current healthcare reform effort in the legislature. One of them is the California Nurses Association. The group says it has a lot of problems

Some big players in California are lining up against the current healthcare reform effort in the legislature. One of them is the California Nurses Association. The group says it has a lot of problems with the deal being pushed by the governor and speaker of the assembly. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

The California Nurses Association says the healthcare reform plan does nothing to prevent insurance companies from charging whatever they want. The group also questions the idea of relying on higher tobacco taxes to finance the package.

The CNA 's Chuck Idelson says he's suspicious of the way supporters are handling the effort.

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Idelson : It reminds us a lot of what happened with energy deregulation in the 1990s, in which a closed-door deal was rushed into a vote. And the result was as everyone knows, blackouts, near bankruptcy of the state, higher prices for consumers.

The California Labor Federation also opposes the plan. Governor Schwarzenegger maintains the proposal would strengthen the state's economy.

Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.