California lawmakers to debate universal healthcare proposal

California lawmakers are set to debate whether to create the nation's first universal health care system

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California lawmakers on Tuesday will start debating whether to create the nation's first universal health care system in a key measure of whether the proposal will muster the support it needs to pass this year — and be sent to voters who would decide whether to approve he payment method.

The state's progressives have tried for years to create a government-funded universal health care system to replace the one that relies on private insurance.

California voters overwhelmingly rejected a 1994 ballot initiative that would have created a universal health care system. Another attempt passed the state Senate in 2017, but it died in the state Assembly with no funding plan attached to it.

This year, state Assembly Democrats have filed two bills. One would create the universal health care system and set its rules and the other would lay out how to pay for the coverage with increased taxes for some wealthier people and larger businesses.