CalCare
CalCare is a proposed single-payer health care system for the state of California. If passed and funded, California would be the first state to fully implement single-payer. Advocates argue it could serve as a test model to lend confidence for a national health system, whereas opponents cite potential budget shortfalls and a difficult transition to a government-run system.[1]
Background
[edit]AB 1400, officially known as California Guaranteed Health Care for All Act, was introduced in 2021 by California State Representative Ash Kalra to establish CalCare.[2][3] The bill was unable to get enough votes to pass in 2022.[4] In 2023, the California state legislature passed SB 770 with Governor Gavin Newsom's signature, allowing federal funds to go to the state to administer a "comprehensive package of medical, behavioral health, pharmaceutical, dental, and vision benefits, which includes primary, preventive and wellness care services." The bill did not use the term "single-payer."[5] The bill, now AB 2200, faced a new in push in 2024 with support from Newsom.[6]
Support and opposition
[edit]Support
[edit]The California Nurses Association strongly supports a single-payer system,[5] campaigning on seven CalCare principles: universal coverage, a single public program, fully comprehensive benefits, freedom to choose your care provider, free at the point of service, a just transition (for displaced workers), and patient care based on patient need (not denying necessary care).[7]
The California Labor Federation and the California Teachers Association supported CalCare in 2022.[8]
Gavin Newsom supports a single-payer system. In 2023, he said, "I’m tired of politicians saying they support single-payer but that it’s too soon, too expensive or someone else’s problem." The California Democratic Party has endorsed a single-payer system with universal coverage in their platform.[9]
Opposition
[edit]The California Medical Association, the California Association of Health Plans, the California Hospital Association, and the California Chamber of Commerce opposed CalCare in 2022.[8]
California State Representative Buffy Wicks, chair of the California Assembly Appropriations Committee, opposed CalCare in 2024, stating "We have an obligation to balance the budget in California. There were some tough choices to make."[10]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Pereira, Ivan (2022-01-23). "Could California's single-payer proposal reignite debate on health care reform?". ABC News. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
- ^ Letters to the Editor (2021-04-07). "Letter: Health care for all California". DavisEnterprise.com. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
- ^ "California AB1400 | 2021-2022 | Regular Session". LegiScan. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
- ^ Gutierrez, Melody (2022-02-01). "Single-payer healthcare proposal fizzles in California Assembly". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
- ^ a b Walters, Dan (2023-10-11). "Newsom signs bill that may resurrect pledge on single-payer health care". CalMatters. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
- ^ Palm, Iman (2024-04-25). "California lawmakers once again introduce universal health care bill". KTLA. Archived from the original on 2024-05-25. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
- ^ "CalCare General Principles Flyer" (PDF). National Nurses United.
- ^ a b Colliver, Victoria (2022-01-31). "California's single-payer bill dies". POLITICO. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
- ^ "Health Care". California Democratic Party. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
- ^ Sosa, Anabel (2024-05-16). "Single-payer healthcare meets its fate again in the face of California's massive budget deficit". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2025-05-21.