A sweeping measure that would establish government-run universal healthcare in CA cleared its 1st legislative hurdle Wed. as scores of supporters crammed into the Capitol to advocate for a single-payer system. The Senate Health Committee approved the measure on a 5-2 vote after a nearly 3-hour hearing. Democrats and Republicans alike signaled unease with the major question still unanswered in the legislation: how the program would be paid for. SB 562 would establish a publicly run healthcare plan that would cover everyone living in CA, including those without legal immigration status. The proposal would drastically reduce the role of insurance companies: The state would pay for all medical expenses, including inpatient, outpatient, emergency services, dental, vision, mental health and nursing home care. The measure says the program would be funded by "broad-based revenue."
At www.latimes.com
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