Universal health care bill faces deadline in California
ABC News
A bill that would create a government-funded universal health care system in California now faces a key deadline
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California Democrats must decide Monday whether to advance a bill that would make the government pay for everybody's health care in the nation's most populous state; a key test of whether one of their most long-sought policy goals can overcome fierce opposition from business groups and the insurance industry.
A bill in the state Legislature would create the nation's only statewide universal health care system. It's still a long way from becoming law, but Monday is the last chance for lawmakers in the Assembly to keep the bill alive this year.
The bill would create a universal health care system and set its rules — but it would not pay for it. There's another bill that would do that. It has a different deadline and does not have to pass on Monday.
Still, Monday's debate will likely be dominated by concerns about cost. The latest estimate says it would cost taxpayers at least $356.5 billion per year to pay for the health care of nearly 40 million residents. California's total operating budget — which pays for public schools, courts, roads and bridges and other important services — is roughly $262 billion this year.
