Single-Payer Health Care Legislation Clears Calif. Senate Health Panel
On Wednesday, the California Senate Health Committee voted 7-4 along party lines to approve a bill that would create a state-run, single-payer health care system in California, the Marin Independent Journal reports.
All Republican committee members voted against the proposal, while Democratic senators uniformly backed it.
SB 810, by Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), would provide coverage for:
- Medical services;
- Hospitalization;
- Vision care;
- Dental services; and
- Prescription drugs.
It would require employees and employers to contribute to the cost of coverage.
The bill now goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.
Leno said he expects the bill to easily win passage in the Senate but explained that he would not forward it to the Assembly until next year in part because of expected opposition from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R).
The Legislature approved similar bills in 2006 and 2008, and the governor vetoed the legislation on both occasions (Halstead, Marin Independent Journal, 4/15). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.