Plan to give health care to every Californian moves forward
The idea known as single-payer health care has long been popular on the left and is getting a new look in
The proposal, promoted by the state's powerful nursing union and two Democratic senators, is a longshot. But supporters hope the time is right to persuade lawmakers in
"It is time to say once and for all that health care is a right, not a privilege for those who can afford it," said Democratic Sen.
Hundreds of nurses clad in red rallied in support of the measure and marched to the state
The measure would guarantee health coverage with no out-of-pocket costs for all
Private insurers would be barred from covering the same services, essentially eliminating them from the marketplace. Instead, a new state agency would set prices and contract with health care providers such as doctors and hospitals and pay the bills for everyone.
However, an essential question is unanswered: Where will the money come from?
The measure envisions using all public money spent on health care — from
The
Employers, business groups and health plans have mobilized in opposition, warning that the measure would require massive tax increases and force patients into lengthy waits to see a doctor.
They say the state should stay focused on implementing Obama's health care law, which is credited with significantly reducing the ranks of
"
The idea faces significant hurdles.
The bill, SB562, would affect everyone — not just the roughly 8 percent of Californians without insurance — including people on
Two-thirds of the Assembly and
And even if it were to clear the Legislature and be signed by Democratic Gov.
The idea to increase the government's role in health care comes as Trump and congressional
More recently,
"By having everything in one pool, you're going to decrease administrative costs, and you're also going to get away from a system where so many different players in the system are there only because of greed, because they want to make money off of people's health care needs," said
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