The Healthy California Now coalition (HCN) is calling on Gov. Newsom to take decisive action to move California to single payer universal health care. The coalition says Newsom could dramatically change the landscape by initiating the process as soon as possible of seeking federal waivers for a state-based system.
This would involve appealing to the Biden administration, and in particular to former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who now heads the Department of Health and Human Services and is a single payer supporter, to help craft a plan that would win federal approval and prompt the transfer of federal funds to the state system. The Affordable Care Act has a waiver provision that allows for “state innovation” in creating alternative healthcare financing once federal guidelines are met.
Appealing to the Biden administration for support would help Newsom with Democrats in the upcoming recall election, according to a recent poll. The California Democratic Party has passed a resolution endorsing this strategy.
This is a particularly propitious moment for the governor to act, the coalition notes, while the single payer bill in the legislature, AB 1400 (CalCare) is on hold until January of next year pending talks about financing.
The coalition is urging the public to get involved in the #LeadTheWave campaign. Individuals can RSVP to a June 14 virtual Town Hall to learn more and take part. The event includes a Twitter storm and social media outreach to spread the word. On June 15, supporters are invited up to Sacramento for an 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in-person rally and caravan at the Capitol.
This article in Common Dreams talks about the importance of Newsom going to Washington..
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