Health reform on life support

Frustrated by opposition in the Legislature, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to take his health-care plan to "the people" next year in the form of a sweeping ballot measure. Mike Zapler in the Daily News.

But if recent ballot initiative history is any guide, it's almost certain to fail. Any health-care referendum is bound to draw deep-pocket opposition and be exceedingly complex - two problems that, time and again, have spelled defeat at the ballot box.

A review of the 107 initiatives that have appeared on the California ballot since 1998 underscores how daunting a campaign on health-care reform would be.