Schwarzenegger Joins in Support of Health Care Reform

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California expresses his support of President Obama's push for health care reform Tuesday joining an increasing number of prominent Republicans.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has now joined number of other Republicans such as former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in supporting health care reform.

Schwarzenegger said in a statement Tuesday "As Governor, I have made significant efforts to advance health reform in California As the Obama Administration was launching the current debate on health care reform, I hosted a bipartisan forum in our state because I believe in the vital importance of this issue, and that it should be addressed through bipartisan cooperation."

Then continued "Our principal goals, slowing the growth in costs, enhancing the quality of care delivered, improving the lives of individuals, and helping to ensure a strong economic recovery, are the same goals that the president is trying to achieve. I appreciate his partnership with the states and encourage our colleagues on both sides of the political aisle at the national level to move forward and accomplish these vital goals for the American people."

Gov. Schwarzenegger didn't endorse any specific plan or bill in his statement although he did note his own efforts in California as he called for bipartisan cooperation at the State and National level.

The California Governor is the latest in string of prominent Republicans breaking ranks with the leadership in Washington and coming forth to support a bipartisanship effort in order to fix the ailing health care system.

Among the other notable Republican Heavyweights are Bill Frist, former Senate Majority Leader who recently said he "would vote for the Senate Finance Committee bill" even though yesterday on MSNBC Frist did voice some criticism but did not take back his earlier statement. Mayor Michael Bloomberg praised the bill Monday saying "the health reform proposal that Congress will shortly consider is shaping up to merit broad, bipartisan support, incorporating Republican ideas and earning deserved support from Republican leaders." And Tommy Thompson, the former Bush Administration health and human services secretary and one-time Republican presidential candidate also expressed similar support for health care legislation this year in a statement issued Monday.

Although none of the gentlemen are ready to back a "Public Option" they are all in agreement that America is in need of bipartisan health care reform.