Richardson unveils massive healthcare package

TODAY GOVERNOR BILL RICHARDSON ANNOUNCED HIS LATEST HEALTH CARE BILL. IN IT-- HE'S TACKLING IN...  More »

TODAY GOVERNOR BILL RICHARDSON ANNOUNCED HIS LATEST HEALTH CARE BILL. IN IT-- HE'S TACKLING INSURANCE REFORM AND THE ISSUE OF DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS. GADI SCHWARTZ JOINS US LIVE TO EXPLAIN-- OUR TOP STORY. ITS A BIG LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE- WITH 10 BILLS- AIMED AT TAKING ON 3 MAJOR ISSUES- INSURANCE- MEDICAL RECORDS- AND DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP. TODAY THE GOVERNORS STAFF UNVEILED RICHARDSON'S HEALTH AGENDA- SAYING THIS YEAR THEY WANT TO FOCUS ON CONSOLIDATING PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS- AND PROTECTING ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS. RICHARDSON IS ALSO CALLING ON LAWMAKERS TO PASS LAWS THAT WOULD REQUIRE INSURANCE COMPANIES TO OFFER HEALTH INSURANCE TO ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO REQUESTS IT- REGARDLESS OF GENDER OR PRE- EXISTING CONDITIONS. I think the legislature is interested as we are in trying to get more people covered we are all struggling with the fact that there aren't as many dollars. ONE OF THE BIGGEST OBSTACLES FOR THE HEALTH CARE PACKAGE WILL BE GETTING A DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP BILL PASSED. RIGHT NOW THE BILL GOVERNOR RICHARDSON IS BACKING WOULD REQUIRE INSURERS-- TO COVER SAME SEX COUPLES-- WHO HAVE BEEN LIVING TOGETHER FOR AT LEAST A YEAR. IT WOULD THEN BE UP TO PRIVATE COMPANIES-- TO ELECT WHETHER OR NOT TO CARRY SUCH COVERAGE.  « Less