While some states are suing the federal government over the
health care overhaul, Governor Schwarzenegger is now embracing
it. He's been critical in the past, expressing concerns about
the costs to the state. But now he says he's on board and has
formed a task force to oversee the implementation. He says though
not perfect, the federal law makes sense:
"When you don't have health insurance and you go to a hospital, you are forcing other people to pay for your medical care and this is why I feel that the federal government has the right to force you into having a health care plan and to force you to pay for your own health care."
One thing the state's expected to do soon is create a new high risk insurance pool to cover people denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions. The Governor says eventually the new federal law will cost the state two to three billion dollars a year - but says those costs will not kick in for seven years. The Governor says if necessary he'll call the legislature into special session to implement the changes.
