California's new health insurance tax faces a lawsuit

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorCalifornia has a new tax on health insurance, and doctors and insurers are suing to stop it.

2. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThat's the one-sentence version, folks. Because it's a doozy.

3. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorStart with what happened.

4. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorFox News reports Governor Gavin Newsom's new health insurance tax is tied to rising Medicaid costs in California.

5. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorMedicaid. The public health program.

6. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorRight. Doctors and insurers have sued. They claim the tax violates Proposition 35.

7. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWhat's Proposition 35?

8. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorA ballot measure. The summary we have doesn't spell out the details, so I won't guess at them.

9. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorFair. Why now?

10. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorFox says the state faces a budget crisis, and costs for health care for undocumented immigrants are in the billions.

11. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorBillions.

12. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThat's Fox's framing. Its angle is that taxpayers are getting increasingly frustrated.

13. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWho's affected? Besides the lawyers.

14. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorInsurers, doctors, and anyone in California with a health plan. How the tax would hit them isn't clear yet.

15. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo nobody knows the price.

16. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorNot yet. The state's side is that it needs the money. The challengers say the law blocks this kind of tax.

17. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorBoth sides say they're protecting patients.

18. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThey do! Everybody's a patient advocate when there's a courtroom.

19. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWhat happens next?

20. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorA judge decides whether the tax fits Proposition 35. No ruling date has been reported.

21. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo we wait.

22. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorWe wait. And the one-sentence version again?

23. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorCalifornia wants money for health care, the health care people sued, and the patient is still on hold.