Billing prescription.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez agreed on a health care reform package. The plan, which now goes to the state Senate, would require businesses to provide health coverage or pay into a state fund to cover uninsured people. So the Business Journal asks:

Should businesses be required to play or pay?

Matthew Natalizio

Chief Financial Officer

Tix Corp.

When the government becomes involved in providing health care services, they generally don't do a good job. I generally don't think the government is very efficient in providing health care--an example of that is the government's mismanagement of California's State Compensation Insurance Fund, which over the last few years has cost us billions of dollars.

Dan Schnur

Executive Vice President and Director

Edelman

It's clear that the current system isn't working the way that it is supposed to--for employees or employers. But I know that there are a lot of people in the business community that are wary of what the costs of this plan would do to their bottom line. It looks like there is still a pretty significant selling job that needs to be done for this plan.

Linda Kondeld

Managing Partner

Dickstein Shapiro LLP

Critical to a strong California economy is our ability to encourage companies to do business here. The more financial burdens we place on those businesses, the more likely they will not come to California. Or if already here, they will leave. If the plan is pursued, to offset negative impact, employers should receive some sort of tax credit or other benefit.

Jose Cofino

President and Chief Operating Officer

Adir Restaurants Corp.

The proposal is an ill-conceived idea. Adir Restaurants Corp./Polio Campero offers medical insurance in addition to significant benefits such as dental insurance, a credit union, a matching 401(k) plan, and much more, to full- and part time employees. If we have to pay this mandated percentage of payroll to health insurance, then, economically, we will be forced to drop other benefits.

Lydia Tavera

Director of Human Resources

Dreier Stein Kahan Browne Woods George LLP

If a Republican governor and Democratic Assembly speaker can agree on a plan, then perhaps businesses can give it a chance, and California can lead the way toward positive health care reform. Although the plan may benefit many, it's important to note that measures must be in place to assure that California businesses small and large are not adversely affected.

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Betty Graham

President and COO

Coldwell Banker Greater Los Angeles

Residential Brokerage Co.

Mandating health insurance will negatively impact small businesses, as did workers comp insurance and living wage ordinances. I agree that every company should provide health insurance for its employees, but it's the health care cost factor that needs to be properly overhauled with some medical/legal cost limits established.

Fernando Acosta

Senior Vice President

TuVision Stations Group

I can tell you that I really do appreciate the governor and Assembly Speaker Nunez bringing this issue up to the forefront. All children in the state need to have access to health care--I think it's close to 2 million children that don't have health coverage or insurance. Another reason I think that this is a good idea is because the price is out of control. We need to do something to bring it back in to being affordable for businesses and individuals.