California has always been a leader in health care reform, officially and unofficially.  It's just that way in a State in constant transition.  I've pointed out, for a long time, that the health care paradigm is shifting - and nowhere is this more obvious than California. 

I've said, time after time, that fully half of the total US health dollar is being spent on alternatives to "organized medicine."  In California I'd say that about 80% of California's health dollars are spent on alternatives. 

Why?  Probably because of three reasons:  (1)  Californians, by nature and peer pressure, are health and physical appearance conscious.  For the most part there are no seasons here - so there is no way to hide.  (2)  There is a huge Hispanic population that comes from a health culture reliant on herbs - not Western Medicine (drugs).  (3)  There is a significant Oriental population reliant on the oriental approach to health care - radically different from a drugs, drugs, and more drugs approach. 

But simply, Californians would rather be healthy than medicated.  There are simply too many things happening, to miss out on, if you're drugged up on Big Pharma's latest TV advertised buzz bomb.

California's leadership role in the paradigm shift is not without opposition.  The New York ad agency, the one that actually runs the "quackbuster" operation, is constantly working to force drugs, drugs, and more drugs back into our health culture.  But, we are prepared for that. 

In health care "constant vigilance" is the answer. And that we do well.