Feuer: "Any time one tries to change the status quo - particularly where there are very strong, monied interests on the other side - the rowing gets tough."
Feuer says health insurance premiums are far too expensive to be affordable. Patrick Johnston with the California Association of Health Plans disagrees.
Johnston: "Saying people can't afford health insurance is true for many Californians. Saying the premium is unreasonable is not fair."
Because, Johnston says, only three percent of each premium goes towards an insurer's profits. Slowly but surely, Johnston's group built opposition - and he believes the bill is done.
Johnston: "The mounting opposition to AB 52 means that its moment has passed."
Assemblyman Feuer says he's open to amending his bill - but he won't water it down.
Feuer: "This battle is going to continue until Californians aren't receiving unjustified health insurance rate increases that put them to the choice between paying the mortgage or afford a new doctor."
The bill could come up for a vote as soon as January - or as late as next summer.
