Group Seeks To Qualify Single-Payer Measure for Ballot

An independent health care advocacy group is working to qualify for the 2008 ballot a measure that would create a single-payer health care system in California, the Los Angeles Daily News reports (Bartholomew, Los Angeles Daily News, 12/6).

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) in September vetoed legislation that would have created a state-run, single-payer health system (California Healthline, 11/15).

Democratic legislators are expected to reintroduce legislation that would create such a system in California. Democratic legislators likely also will propose expansions to children's health insurance programs.

The Daily News reports that Republican legislators likely will oppose health care reform proposals that would increase taxes or create mandates for businesses.

Schwarzenegger has said he will announce his health care reform plan in his State of the State address in January 2007 (Los Angeles Daily News, 12/6).