California state assemblyperson Ash Kalra is preparing to reintroduce a bill early next year that would create a program known as CalCare to provide the same package of healthcare benefits to all residents and make the state solely responsible for reimbursing providers. This time around, the effort has more momentum, but still faces a number of obstacles.
With hundreds of billions in new costs saddling the state, California would need to raise taxes to finance the program. New taxes require approval from a two-thirds majority of lawmakers, a feat even in a state with a Democratic supermajority. Governor Gavin Newsom, who backed single-payer health care during his campaign, declined to comment on the proposals.
