NewsCalifornia News

Actions

California Democrats revive universal health care bill

Health Care, Doctor (FILE)
Posted at 1:39 PM, Jan 06, 2022
and last updated 2022-01-06 16:39:04-05

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Democrats in the California Legislature have revived a plan for what could be the nation's first universal health care system.

Democratic state Assemblyman Ash Kalra introduced a universal health care bill last year. But the bill stalled because there was no plan to pay for it.

Kalra on Thursday unveiled a second bill that would raise taxes on some businesses and individuals to pay for it.

Democratic leaders then scheduled a hearing on Kalra's first bill for next week.

A coalition of doctors and hospitals oppose the bill because they say it would cost too much and restrict choice.

Kalra says health care is already too expensive.