SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gray Davis, facing a tidal wave of bills to overhaul the managed health care industry in California, has asked lawmakers to slow down, legislative and administration sources said Wednesday.
Reform advocates said the governor's announcement caught them off guard and immediately triggered fears that a thorough reform of health care may be delayed for a third straight year.
"For me, it's deja vu of the Wilson administration," said Sen. Liz Figueroa (D-Fremont), citing former Gov. Pete Wilson's successful strategy in 1997-98 to kill a wholesale overhaul of the embattled system.
Michael Bustamante, the governor's spokesman, sought to ease those concerns. "The big difference is that Gov. Davis is interested in enacting HMO reforms" and Wilson was not, Bustamante said.
Davis outlined his position at a private meeting in his office Monday night with Democratic leaders of the Legislature's insurance, health and appropriations committees.
Sources who spoke on condition of anonymity said Davis made it clear that he did not share a vision of a major overhaul of health care financing, delivery and performance this session.
More than 60 bills on those issues are pending and moving swiftly toward his desk. "He only wants four to six bills," one Democrat said.
Davis did not indicate which bills he would sign or spell out his still-evolving policies on HMO reforms. But he said he intends to activate an administration task force during the next month that would make recommendations to him as the Legislature prepares to wind up the current session, according to the sources.
The task force would consult with insurers, health experts, employers and legislators to arrive at what Bustamante described as a common-sense consensus that would satisfy consumers and business interests alike.
The governor's action came on the heels of a fund-raiser Friday for Davis hosted by health insurers, who favor some changes but want a "go slow" approach. A spokesman for the insurers said no legislation was discussed with Davis at the event. "We know the rules," he said.
In 1997, Wilson found himself in circumstances similar to those now confronting Davis.
At the time, more than 80 HMO bills headed Wilson's way. Backed by the industry, he promised to veto them all. He also appointed a task force of experts to study the issue and make a report in 1998.
