Gavin Newsom’s first hires suggest the next California governor has big health care plans
Incoming chief of staff
His cabinet secretary -- typically the second-highest-ranking cabinet member -- Ana Matosantos helped lead negotiations to expand health insurance access under former Gov.
And several other key appointees in the new administration have spent years advocating to make health care more affordable and expand immigrants' access to insurance.
"These are the appointments of a governor who is serious about doing something big on health care," said
Newsom campaigned on expanding health care access through a government-funded system often referred to as "single-payer." That could cost
Newsom's hires and the impracticality of federal cooperation indicate his plans aren't quite that ambitious, said
"It looks to me like he will be working toward universal coverage as opposed to a single payer health care system," the
Although vocally supportive of single-payer, Newsom has also acknowledged the obstacles and suggested that reducing health care costs and expanding insurance coverage could lay the groundwork for such a system.
Whether or not Newsom pursues a single-payer plan, he'll still need to work with the federal government, which funds the bulk of the state's health programs. O'Leary brings substantial experience at that level, having served as a top aide to
Matosantos, meanwhile, has an extensive state-level resume.
The former
"Not everyone can do that," he said.
Matosantos, who once worked for the
Her background at the
"She was in charge of Finance during some really challenging times," Flory said. "I don't think that anyone has any blinders that she's just going to throw money around."
Lawmakers, who killed a single-payer bill in 2017, haven't introduced a new version this session. The Legislative Analyst's Office at the time projected the last one had a budget-busting
But there is broad legislative support for expanding access to health care. It's a top issue on both sides of the aisle. Mayes, who has a history of collaborating with
So far, the biggest health proposal introduced this session would extend state coverage to people without legal status and cost about
Newsom's pick to run his
Wright said he expects
Newsom is also bringing on
"This is a group of people that have been working on various health proposals for a very long time," Flory said.
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