California lawmakers have advanced several bills that would help the state implement national health care reform, over the objection of Republicans.

The state Senate on Tuesday narrowly approved two bills to set up an insurance exchange that would allow people to shop for health insurance. The exchange would let people compare insurance plans and buy coverage through a consumer-friendly website.

Republicans who opposed the bills said the measures could create unaccountable bureaucracy.

Sen. Bob Dutton, R-Rancho Cucamonga, said California should leave it to the federal government to create its own exchange to let people compare and buy insurance coverage.

He called the state-operated exchange “a scary proposition.”

“Let the federal government take on the full responsibility for this program,” said Dutton, who is set to take over as Republican leader next month.

But Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, said opponents should put aside their objections now that the federal health care system has become law.

“If we don’t embrace federal health care reform, we are going to be jeopardizing billions of dollars” as the state faces a $19 billion budget shortfall, Steinberg said. “Why would we once again turn our backs on the opportunity to draw down billions of dollars in federal funds?”

SB900, which creates the exchange, p***ed the Senate on a 22-13 vote and now goes to the governor for his review. A companion bill that establishes the duties of the exchange, AB1602, p***ed on a 21-13 roll call and returns to the ***embly for final action.



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