California does not need a $14 billion government-run health care scheme.

Unfortunately, that's what we're in for if Democrats in the Legislature have their way. They recently passed an expensive proposal out of the Assembly Health Committee while rejecting fiscally responsible reforms proposed by Republicans.

Democrats are pushing a $14 billion plan that will increase the deficit, hurt the economy and raise taxes. Worst of all, they don't know how they are going to pay for it. Their plan relies on a yet-to-be-drafted, circulated and passed ballot initiative for its funding. It also does nothing to contain the ever-rising costs of health care and it is likely illegal under federal law.

The federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act law prohibits states like California from telling companies what health coverage they must offer their workers. While Democrats waive off such criticism, that's exactly what their plan would do because it requires employers to either provide a mandated level of health care benefits or pay a new tax. Earlier this year, a federal appeals court struck down a Maryland law very similar to the Democrat health plan that required large employers to either provide health insurance to their workers or pay a job's tax.

I am also opposed to this plan because it relies on a trio of tax increases to help pay for this massive government spending. Last November, California voters rejected tax increases to pay for expanded health care services in Proposition 86. I am confident that if faced with the choice again, voters will reject this tax increase.

The Legislative Analyst recently projected that California faces an $8 billion budget deficit for next year. Passing a measure that will increase the deficit even further is proof of just how out-of-touch Democrats are.

We don't have to put our state through a fiscal train wreck to reform health care. Assembly Republicans have put forward our own health care reform plan, Assembly Bill 8x, which Democrats voted down with very little debate. Our plan would have reformed health care without raising taxes, hurting the economy or increasing the deficit. It would maximize choice, reduce costs and increase access to quality care for California's hard working families.

Assembly Bill 8x would have allowed Californians to buy tailored health plans to meet the individual needs of families. Options like Health Savings Accounts, a program already adopted by 46 other states, would have allowed individuals to take advantage of tax-free savings accounts to pay for medical costs not covered by their insurance. Our plan also would have allowed tax deductions for out-of-pocket medical expenses and it would have given tax credits to businesses that start providing health care to their employers.

Reforming health care shouldn't be about tax increases and government bureaucrats making your medical decisions. It should be about giving people the freedom to choose what options are best for their family.

Assemblyman Martin Garrick, R-Carlsbad, represents the 74th Assembly District.

Government-Run Health Care Is Bad For California

By Assemblyman Martin Garrick

California does not need a $14 billion government-run health care scheme.

Unfortunately, that's what we're in for if Democrats in the Legislature have their way. They recently passed an expensive proposal out of the Assembly Health Committee while rejecting fiscally responsible reforms proposed by Republicans.

Democrats are pushing a $14 billion plan that will increase the deficit, hurt the economy and raise taxes. Worst of all, they don't know how they are going to pay for it. Their plan relies on a yet-to-be-drafted, circulated and passed ballot initiative for its funding. It also does nothing to contain the ever-rising costs of health care and it is likely illegal under federal law.

The federal ERISA law prohibits states like California from telling companies what health coverage they must offer their workers. While Democrats waive off such criticism, that's exactly what their plan would do because it requires employers to either provide a mandated level of health care benefits or pay a new tax. Earlier this year, a federal appeals court struck down a Maryland law very similar to the Democrat health plan that required large employers to either provide health insurance to their workers or pay a job's tax. I think it's shortsighted to pass anything that has already been rejected by the courts.

I am also opposed to this plan because it relies on a trio of tax increases to help pay for this massive government spending. Last November, California voters rejected tax increases to pay for expanded health care services in Proposition 86. I am confident that if faced with the choice again, voters will reject this tax increase.

The Legislative Analyst recently projected that California faces an $8 billion budget deficit for next year. Passing a measure that will increase the deficit even further is proof of just how out-of-touch Democrats are.

We don't have to put our state through a fiscal train wreck to reform health care. Assembly Republicans have put forward our own health care reform plan, Assembly Bill 8x (Villines), which Democrats voted down with very little debate. Our plan would have reformed health care without raising taxes, hurting the economy or increasing the deficit. It would maximize choice, reduce costs and increase access to quality care for California's hard working families.

Assembly Bill 8x would have allowed Californians to buy tailored health plans to meet the individual needs of families. Options like Health Savings Accounts, a program already adopted by 46 other states, would have allowed individuals to take advantage of tax-free savings accounts to pay for medical costs not covered by their insurance. Our plan also would have allowed tax deductions for out-of-pocket medical expenses and it would have given tax credits to businesses that start providing health care to their employers.

Reforming health care shouldn't be about tax increases and government bureaucrats making your medical decisions. It should be about giving people the freedom to choose what options are best for their family.