Universal health coverage coming to California?

California's Republican governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed extending health insurance to California's 6.5 million uninsured residents. The AP is reporting that Schwarzenegger will spread the cost among businesses, individuals, hospitals, insurers and the government.

I 100 PERCENT SUPPORT THIS IDEA!!!!!!! However, I don't think the plan goes far enough!

The plan to provide the insurance will reportedly save $10 billion a year by "cutting cost" and "redirecting money already in the health care system."

"My solution is that everyone in California must have health insurance," the governor said. "If you can't afford it, the state will help you buy it. But you must be insured. That is number one."

The plan would require all Californians to have health insurance, with the poorest folks getting there coverage "subsidized."

Unions attacked the plan as a "tax on the middle class," and for the record, I AGREE. The government should PROVIDE the health care of EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN PERIOD, not simply REQUIRE health care. Republicans also reacted negatively to the plan (of course):

"Imposing a new jobs tax on employers of any size and expanding costly government mandates is the wrong approach," Assembly Republican leader Mike Villines said in a statement, predicting the proposal would "devastate our economy."

Well, TOUGH!! You know what else is devastating to our economy? The Republican party in general. The Republicans have no problem enacting legislation they tout as "morally correct," but when it comes to enacting anything of any REAL MORAL SUBSTANCE, they head for the hills.

Note to the state governments: ENACT UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE NOW!