Hector De La Torre's bill, AB 1945, which would have forced health plans to seek approval from a third party before rescinding health insurance - a VERY common practice, unfortunately - was vetoed by Arnold today. Interestingly, Arnold was for it before he was against it as De La Torre noted:
Having the governor not engage in any discussions or negotiations for months, and then just veto the bill is astonishing," he said. "The issue was good enough to use as an applause line in his State of the State Address in January, but not to sign a good piece of legislation that would protect insured people in the individual market.
It's another sop to the HMOs, whose business model relies on preventing people from getting the health care they need. This is especially true on the individual health insurance market (the one John McCain wants you to rely on) - if you get sick, the insurance company is going to comb over your application, your policy, and your life with a fine toothed comb to find a reason to cut you off and watch you suffer.
Arnold has vetoed a lot of bills this session, but few vetoes will hurt more Californians than this one. |
