Joe- you have it all wrong. As an Obama AND Prop 101 SUPPORTER, I can tell you that Prop 101 is something everyone voting for Obama should vote yes on.

Just like Obama has said that we can't just pass laws making health care mandatory-- health care that people simply cannot afford, Prop 101 protects me from the most powerful special interests who are more interested in my money than my health.

I hate to admit it, but the rumor here in AZ is that Governor Napolitano is the one behind the prevarications about 'ambiguous" and our medicaid system--- everyone knew about Prop 101 for well over a year--- and all of the groups that needed to voice an opinion about the language were silent, until now. And that is because they all saw the language and did not find anything wrong with it... until the Governor effectively told them to make something up.

Otherwise, keep up the good work for the progressive cause--- and recommend people vote YES on 101.

I'm not sure where the confusion is with this initiative...it simply states that individuals should have the right to health care choice. As a Democrat, I can't argue with that. Even if Arizona were to go to some sort of universal system, people should have the opportunity to get private health care if they wish and don't want to participate. It makes sense to protect this right in the constitution. The complaints from these big state agencies just sound like whinings from bureaucrats who want their empires to expand.

Arizonians, as well as all Americans, should have a choice in their healthcare options. The intent of this law is to make sure we, the citizens of Arizona, have the freedom to choose our healthcare coverage, not have it dictated to us by lobbyists, special interest groups, employers, and government officials. If you support Obama like I do, you should also support Prop 101. http://www.yeson101.com

Ugh - I knew we would not win the electoral votes for Obama in AZ--- but Governor Napolitano should be ashamed at unleashing her pet attack dog John Rivers (head of the "ripping off the uninsured association" also known as the AZ Hospital Association).

And now I hear that some out of state company that does some contract work for the government here is actually paying for the campaign --- SCAN healthcare, which used to have the title of most complaints per patient of all CA health plans... No wonder they're behind this--- if people actually HAD a choice, they would never choose them... so, do what comes naturally, pay off the bureaucrats and get the big fat contracts.

disgusting: shame on Napolitano, shame on John Rivers, shame on SCAN health care

I hope Prop 101 wins with 90% of the vote and then these groups boot those thugs out of the state.

Out-Of-State Health Plan With Government Ties
First To Fund Prop. 101 Opposition Campaign

Big Government, Big Hospitals Begin Effort to Prevent Medical Choice

PHOENIX, Arizona (September 23, 2008) — The opposition group formed against the Medical Choice for Arizona initiative received its first campaign contribution from an out-of-state health system with big contracts with the state of Arizona.

SCAN Health Plan out of Los Angeles, which has had some of the highest patient complaint rates of any health plan in California in the past, made the first contribution to the committee formed last week to fight medical choice.

The “no” campaign is being coordinated by the Arizona Hospital Association, representing the big-money Arizona hospitals that want to make sure nothing happens that would affect their profit margins, according to Dr. Eric Novack, chairman of Medical Choice for Arizona.

“It is not surprising that the same groups that can afford $2 billion in new hospital building while settling lawsuits for overcharging the uninsured will say or do anything to put their money and power ahead of the health of Arizonans,” Novack said.

This comes on the heels of false claims made by big government health care agencies that Proposition 101 would somehow affect AHCCCS, claims that were debunked last week by an independent legal analysis by the Goldwater Institute.

“We have seen the enemy, and now we know it is the enemy we have been fighting all along,” Novack said. “We know it’s going to be the big government bureaucrats and the very special interests who would benefit the most from the elimination of our right to make our own health care decisions and protect the ability of Arizonans to be in control of their health and health care.

“The fact that these special interests and government agencies are so worried just underscores the need for Proposition 101,” Novack said. “We have to make sure that Arizonans are not limited in their health care choices, which is just what these big hospitals and big government agencies want to do.”

Proposition 101 will preserve and protect the rights of individuals to make their own health care and health insurance choices.

Currently, many lobbyists and special interest groups in Arizona and around the country are promoting policies that would limit or even eliminate the ability of people to have choices when seeking out health care for themselves and their families.

This initiative will guarantee the right of Arizonans to make their own health care choices. Lobbyists and special interests will see their power to control and dictate health care choices limited. The language of the initiative is simple:

BECAUSE ALL PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR HEALTH CARE, NO LAW SHALL BE PASSED THAT RESTRICTS A PERSON’S FREEDOM OF CHOICE OF PRIVATE HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS OR PRIVATE PLANS OF ANY TYPE. NO LAW SHALL INTERFERE WITH A PERSON’S OR ENTITY’S RIGHT TO PAY DIRECTLY FOR LAWFUL MEDICAL SERVICES, NOR SHALL ANY LAW IMPOSE A PENALTY OR FINE, OF ANY TYPE, FOR CHOOSING TO OBTAIN OR DECLINE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE OR FOR PARTICIPATION IN ANY PARTICULAR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM OR PLAN.

Visit www.YesOn101.com for more information.