They don't like the governor's proposal or the Democrats' plan, so Senate Republicans are introducing their own package of healthcare bills for the special session. As Marianne Russ reports from Sacramento, they look very familiar.
The group of 24 measures isn't all that different than the package GOP Senators introduced during the regular legislative session. Those died because they weren't taken up by Democratic lawmakers. The Republican plans include more health clinics, incentives for doctors and nurses who work in underserved areas, and an increase in the rate the state pays to doctors who treat low-income patients.
GOP Senator George Runner explains the difference between their plan and those of the Democrats and the governor.
Runner : The biggest difference in our plan versus their plan is we don't believe you can have universal coverage. We don't believe we can afford universal coverage, and we in fact believe when you do universal coverage you limit access.
Governor Schwarzenegger recently announced changes to his healthcare proposal, including leasing out the state lottery to help pay for it. The governor is expected to veto a Democratic healthcare plan that requires employers to put up most of the money for expanded coverage.
