In California, It’s The Single-Payer-Or-Bust Camp Versus The Realists
Some advocates are pushing for incremental change with universal coverage as the goal, but others are still focused on single-payer legislation.
Politico:
California’s Path To Universal Health Care Pits Pragmatists Against Single-Payer Holdouts
It’s the pragmatists versus the idealists in California’s latest quest for universal health care. Increasing numbers of lawmakers and advocates are pushing for policy goals that realistically can be accomplished this year. But there’s an unrelenting camp clinging to single-payer-or-bust. The Golden State, which has been pushing back against the Trump administration on multiple fronts, is leaning toward the more incremental approach. This includes bills and budget items that would cover everything from insuring undocumented adults to preventing Medicaid work requirements and shielding the state from insurance products favored by the GOP, such as short-term plans. (Colliver, 4/3)
KQED:
Coalition Pursuing Package Of Laws To Expand Health Care Access, Reduce Cost
Labor unions, women’s groups, medical organizations, and immigrant and community activists are part of the more than 50 members of the Care4All California coalition. The top of their agenda is expanding Medi-Cal eligibility to all undocumented immigrants and increasing subsidies for people who purchase health insurance plans through the Covered California exchange. (Boyd-Barrett, 4/3)