Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
CA Lawmakers Have Been Overly Influenced By Health Insurance Lobby, Says San Jose Assemblyman
California's State Capitol in Sacramento.
(
Photo via Wikimedia Commons
)
The latest attempt to establish a single-payer healthcare system in California failed last week before going to a vote. The lead author of the proposed bill, Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose), pulled the legislation prior to its landing on the Assembly floor, saying there wasn’t enough support to pass it.
Now Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San Jose), who co-authored the bill, says he was disheartened by the outcome.
"I think momentum was really on our side, and I think we ought to advance the conversation when it comes to getting towards universal single payer health care,” he said. “I have all the confidence that we'll continue to advance this issue."
Lee said most of his colleagues in the legislature agree that the current healthcare system isn't working, but they've been influenced by disinformation from the insurance lobby.
Support for LAist comes from
"A lot of the for-profit entities have a lot to lose … if we move to a system that prioritizes health care for patients instead of the ridiculous costs,” he said. “There's real industries that will stand to lose on their profit, and that's why they've been spending so much” to defeat a single-payer system.
He added that while lawmakers agree something should be done to improve the healthcare system, they're not comfortable with the systemic changes needed to make that happen.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The new ordinance applies to certain grocers operating in the city and has led to some self-checkout lanes to shutter. -
Children asked to waive right to see a judge in exchange for $2,500 -
There’s still a lot to be determined as the refinery, which supplies about one-fifth of Southern California's vehicle fuels, works to restore production and as data is collected. -
The FCC voted to end E-Rate discounts for library hotspot lending and school bus Wi-Fi. -
About half the Pacific Airshow’s 2025 lineup has been grounded because of the federal government shutdown. -
USC says it’s reviewing the letter also sent to eight other prestigious schools nationwide. California's governor vowed that any California universities that sign will lose state funding.
Best of LAist