| While Massachusetts previous year became the first | | | | costs are so high. |
| state wanting each one to purchase health insurance, | | | | Health insurance in California hit a barrier surprises few. |
| the proposals in California could come up with an even | | | | The challenge is huge and the solutions are |
| bolder trial, because the Golden State's problems are | | | | contentious, splitting lawmakers. Republicans |
| so much larger. "It's now a bigger face in California," | | | | devastatingly do not support the two Democratic |
| says Marian Mulkey, a senior program officer at | | | | health-improvement measures, which are in play in |
| California HealthCare Foundation, a non-profit | | | | California, nor did any back the governor's plan. While |
| organization think tank. "That's not to say it's | | | | their suggestion shares some of the governor's ideas, |
| insurmountable." | | | | Democrats part with Schwarzenegger in two |
| California health insurance, for example, a predictable | | | | important ways: They do not desire to need individuals |
| 4.9 million people are short of health insurance. That | | | | to purchase health insurance, and they wish employers |
| compares with a forecast 500,000 in Massachusetts | | | | who do not provide insurance to pay more than the |
| before its plan began. That's why politicians from other | | | | governor proposes. |
| states - along with policy specialists and officials in | | | | "Any development in California would make a |
| Congress - are watching the California try closely, with | | | | considerable dent in the problem of the uninsured |
| its latent to set a nationwide model. Some desire a | | | | nationally," says Larry Levitt, a health insurance policy |
| worldwide program paid for and overseen completely | | | | forecaster for the Kaiser Family Foundation, a |
| by the government. Some states all individuals must be | | | | non-profit study group based in Menlo Park, Calif. |
| obligatory to purchase health coverage, while others | | | | "Action in California would make genuine momentum, |
| say such a go-ahead is draconian when premium | | | | both in the presidential debate and in other states. |