Gov. Newson has just signed SB 770-Unified Health Care Financing, co-authored by senators Scott Wiener (D-SF) and Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) and sponsored by the Healthy California Now coalition (HCN).
The bill builds on a recommendation by the Healthy California for All Commission. It directs California’s Secretary of Health and Human Services to pursue discussions with federal authorities regarding the potential terms of waivers necessary for California to secure its full share of federal healthcare funds for a state-based system. The four-page bill lays out 19 principles that would guide creation of an affordable, high quality, equitable universal healthcare system. Read the bill here.
The bill calls for a detailed draft report ready for legislative review and public comment to be published on June 1, 2025. A final plan, due in November, 2025, would pave the way for formal waiver applications in early 2026.