It’s truly difficult to say “no” to increased health care access for the uninsured, but that is exactly what voters should do this Election Day. While we must continue to look for ways to expand insurance coverage, this measure contains critical flaws that may actually cause workers to lose benefits, or even their jobs.

By requiring companies that employ more than 50 employees — and potentially those with as few as 20 employees — to provide health insurance benefits, California will only increase its reputation for being hostile to businesses and may force companies to move out of the state. The most important health care issue for consumers — its quickly exploding price — remains completely ignored in this measure.

If the state wants employers to offer insurance to workers, it must provide incentives for them to do so and not rely on unfunded mandates. One alternative may be for the state to offer tax credits to companies that provide health care benefits, but this must be offset by higher taxes on the wealthiest Californians.

In addition, the state could cheaply and quickly bring down the cost of health care for all residents by negotiating lower drug prices with manufacturers, something that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger opposes.

The passage of this measure may actually do more harm than good, by forcing companies to reduce employment to cut costs or abandon the state altogether, which would only increase the ranks of the uninsured.

Vote “no” on Proposition 72.