California Eyes Single Payer System as GOP Announces New Push for ACA Repeal

FEATURING MICHAEL LIGHTY – Republicans announced on Thursday that they may have a deal on healthcare reform and could pass a new bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act by the end of this month. Moderate Republicans, wary of their constituents losing health coverage are still a major obstacle however.

But the nation’s most populous state is charging full steam ahead with a healthcare plan of its own. California state senators Ricardo Lara and Toni Atkins have sponsored SB 562, a bill that would create a single-payer system that covers all Californians. Such a plan is akin to the federal Medicare program but rather than covering just seniors, it would cover everyone.

While there is strong public support for single payer in California, Governor Jerry Brown has expressed skepticism about the costs of the plan. If California manages to pull off single payer health care the implications for a national push will be huge.

Find more about the bill at www.healthyca.org.

Michael Lighty, Director of Public Policy at National Nurses United.