FROM THE FOUNDATION

Redefining the Safety Net

Should California establish a Basic Health Program for certain low-income residents? CHCF's Marian Mulkey captures a recent policy conversation in a Health Affairs blog.

Accountable Care in Action

A new post on the Health Affairs blog details how CalPERS kept costs down in Sacramento through a "virtual" ACO with insurers and providers.

Career Opportunity: Senior Program Officer

This position will play a major role in furthering the goals and objectives of the foundation's Better Chronic Disease Care program.

Insurance and Uninsured

Friday, January 20, 2012

Panel Sends Single-Payer Health Care Bill to Full Senate

On Thursday, the California Senate Appropriations Committee voted 6-2 to approve a bill (SB 810), by Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), that would create a single-payer health care system, clearing the way for a vote in the full Senate. An analysis of the bill found that creating a single-payer system to serve all 37 million state residents could cost up to $250 billion annually. The measure does not include any taxes or fees to offset the cost of the system, which would be run by a new state agency.

Reader Comments:
  • 1
  • 01/20/2012
  • Henry Abrons

You correctly state that "creating a single-payer system to serve all 37 million state residents could cost up to $250 billion annually", but it’s important to emphasize that SB 810 merely creates a future pathway for redirecting what Californians already spend for health care and does not burden the state budget with a large fiscal obligation now. SB 810 would entail only a small expenditure to set up a Healthcare Premium Commission charged with determining the aggregate cost of providing health care coverage under the single payer program. Enactment of a separate revenue measure and approval of federal waivers as provided in the Affordable Care Act must then generate adequate revenue for the Healthcare Fund. Only then would the state become the single payer. To conceive of $250 billion as an imminent budget obligation puts the cart before the horse and is incorrect.



Readers are invited to send feedback to: chl@chcf.org