California's "free" healthcare to include illegal aliens.

On January 10, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled a $143.5 billion budget that he proclaimed would wipe out the Golden State's chronic budget deficit and put the state on the road to solid economic health. However, the state's nonpartisan legislative analysts, Wall Street bond raters, and Republican state legislators charge that the "Governator" has cooked the books, using wildly optimistic revenue assumptions and hiding the true costs of many programs. Additionally, the Schwarzenegger plan calls for borrowing $43 billion. However, the proposal that is causing greatest concern among conservatives is Schwarzenegger's revolutionary proposal to mandate universal medical insurance for all Californians, including illegal aliens.

"Everyone in California must have health insurance," Schwarzenegger said in his televised address. "If you can't afford it, the state will help you buy it, but you must be insured." He said his state program was necessary to accommodate an estimated 6.5 million uninsured Californians, many of whom are illegal aliens. The program, which some analysts estimate would cost $10 billion per year, would be paid for by a combination of "contributions" from individuals, employers, doctors, hospitals, and insurers.

"It is disappointing that just 72 hours into his [second] term he's shattered the central campaign pledge upon which he won reelection--not to raise taxes," said conservative Republican State Sen. Tom McClintock.