One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
California set to vote on single-payer health
FILE - In this May 16, 2016, file photo, California state Sen. Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens, speaks at a rally at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif. California lawmakers are considering an audacious proposal that would substantially remake the state's health care system by eliminating insurance companies and guaranteeing coverage for everyone. Lara, who wrote the bill with Democratic Sen. Toni Atkins of San Diego, says they're working on details.
(
Rich Pedroncelli/AP
)
Listen
0:53
California set to vote on single-payer health
As the Republicans in Congress work on a bill to replace Obamacare, California lawmakers are considering a radical move in the other direction.
The state senate is set to vote on a bill that would create a so-called "single payer" health care system for California.
The bill the senate will vote on this week would cut out insurance companies and put the state in charge of paying for all health care.
Supporters call it "Medicare for all." Detractors call it an "expensive distraction" from the national health care debate.
Democratic Senator Ricardo Lara of Bell Gardens co-authored the bill. He told a senate committee last week—it's an idea whose time has come.
“Given this picture of increasing cost, health care inefficiencies, and the uncertainty created in Congress, it is critical that California chart our own path," said Lara.
Analysts say the state would have to raise about $200 billion a year to pay for the new system. That's as much as the entire state budget. Gov. Brown has raised strong objections to the bill's cost.
Sponsored message
The bill includes an amendment that would block it from taking effect until a funding source for the program is in place.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
