Flurry Of Health Movement In California, Other Blue States May Act As ‘Test Balloons’ For Wider Marketplace
With a divided Congress, there may not be much forward progress on health care issues at a national level, but states led by Democratic lawmakers are already taking steps to fulfill campaign promises for more expanded options. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced ambitious health plans last week spanning from reshaping how prescription drugs are paid for to taking steps toward a single-payer system.
The Associated Press:
Democrats Roll Out Big Health Care Proposals In The States
Riding the momentum from November's elections, Democratic leaders in the states are wasting no time delivering on their biggest campaign promise — to expand access to health care and make it more affordable. The first full week of state legislative sessions and swearings-in for governors saw a flurry of proposals. (1/12)
Governing:
Can California and NYC Afford Their Near-Universal Health-Care Plans?
Can a city or a state afford near-universal health care? New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and California's newly sworn-in governor, Gavin Newsom, think so. ... Cost is the No. 1 concern for those opposed to universal health care. They worry that covering everyone will come at the expense of other services as well as mounting debt for the government. ... But health policy experts say resource-rich governments like California and New York have strong enough revenues to cover the cost of expanding health care to segments of the population who fall through the cracks. California is projected to have a budget surplus of $15 billion this year, according to the state's Legislative Analyst Office. New York City ended fiscal 2018 with a $2.6 billion budget surplus, according to the city's comptroller. (Charles, 1/10)
The New York Times:
California Adds Its Clout To States Battling High Drug Prices
Gavin Newsom dived into the highly charged debate over prescription drug prices in his first week as California’s governor, vowing action on a topic that has enraged the public but has proved resistant to easy fixes. His idea: Find strength in numbers. Within hours of taking office on Monday, Mr. Newsom signed an executive order proposing a plan that would allow California to directly negotiate with drug manufacturers. (Thomas, 1/11)
Capital Public Radio:
Gavin Newsom Wants More Bathrooms For Kindergartners
Before Gavin Newsom can reach his audacious goal of universal preschool, California will first have to get to full-day kindergarten. And full-day kindergarten means having to build a lot more classrooms with little adjacent toilets to meet all those 5-year-olds’ bladder needs. (Lin, 1/13)
LAist:
LA County Cities Could Have Funds Withheld Under Newsom's New Housing Plan
Local governments within Los Angeles County, including the city of L.A., might see some of their transportation funding withheld if they fail to meet housing goals mandated by the state. California's new governor, Gavin Newsom, threw out that surprising proposal during a briefing Thursday on his first budget plan. (McCarthy, 1/11)
San Francisco Chronicle:
Gov. Newsom Angers No One With Budget, Puts Off Big Fights For Another Day
The $209 billion fiscal blueprint has plenty to delight his progressive backers, but the new governor also worked to avoid enraging more fiscally conservative Californians. Newsom leavened his calls for social measures like boosting welfare checks and providing health care for more undocumented immigrants with plans to pay off the state’s debts, boost California’s budget reserves and make a down payment on closing the public pension shortfall. (Wildermuth, 1/12)