The measure is co-authored by the Democratic leaders and is supported by Governor Schwarzenegger.  It’s already been approved in the Assembly.  It’s funded by a tobacco tax and fees on employers and hospitals. It requires most Californians to have health insurance.  Democratic State Senator Leland Yee is on the Health Committee.  He says he can’t vote for it.  He’s concerned there won’t be limits on what insurers can charge. 

 “While on the one hand the health insurance industry are taken care of because they can charge as much as they can.  The workers are going to be left holding the bag on this particular measure …” 

The Democratic chair of the Senate Health Committee has also said she doesn’t favor the plan.  No Republicans support it either. Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez says despite the uncertainty, he’s confident his bill will be approved.