POL POSITION:Moore’s ‘mockumentary’ on health care is misleading

Documentary movie producer Michael Moore descended upon the Capitol last week to promote his new film, “SiCKO,” a cinematic indictment of America’s health-care system.

Throughout the day, Moore met with a long list of legislators to advocate for universal health care. Moore even found the time to participate at a press conference with Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez and later testified at a Senate Informational Briefing on Health Care Reform chaired by Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica).

At the well-attended briefing, Moore conveniently discussed his new movie by showcasing “tragedies” of our current health-care system. Moore demonstrated his whole-hearted support for universal health-care proposals currently pending in the Legislature; measures that would strip away personal choice, while imposing additional taxes upon small businesses to fund a socialized health-care scheme for all California residents, regardless of citizenship.

Mr. Moore is nothing more than a sensationalist who makes money on twisting half-truths and producing factually inaccurate “mockumentaries,” all at the expense of the victims of isolated tragedies. It is amazing that so many legislators would give support and encouragement to this individual. It seems to me that the Senate Informational Briefing was nothing more than a soapbox — provided at State expense — so that Mr. Moore could promote his new film.

According to a press release distributed by Senator Kuehl’s office, Michael Moore testified before the informational briefing “to discuss the relevance of the film for the California Legislature.” By strongly voicing his support for Kuehl’s proposed universal health-care plan, Mr. Moore not only boosts his own film, but also helps further Kuehl’s legislative agenda.

We all agree that California desperately needs a health-care system that is less expensive; increases accountability, access, and coverage; and reduces the burdensome mandates that unnecessarily drive up the cost of health care. However, providing socialized medicine to all, regardless of citizenship, is not the answer.

A better alternative is the plan my Senate Republican colleagues and I have proposed. It is called the Cal CARE plan, and it helps remedy our failing health-care system while empowering individuals to make choices for themselves. It helps Californians take personal responsibility for their health care and provides economic incentives to allow an individual to have the same benefits that an employer provides to its employees.

One of the key components of Cal CARE is allowing the establishment of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Currently, California is one of only six states that have yet to conform to federal income tax law regarding HSAs. In order to accomplish this goal, I have authored Senate Bill 199, which provides a tax credit against those taxes paid by an individual or small to medium sized business when a contribution is made into an HSA.

California does not need some universal health-care plan like the one being promoted by Mr. Moore. Californians deserve better.

TOM HARMAN represents Senate Dist. 35, which includes Newport Beach and Costa Mesa.