California state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-SF) has introduced a bill calling on state health officials to conduct timely talks with the federal government regarding support for a state-based healthcare system based on unified financing, considered a single payer system by advocates.
The “waiver” talks would identify federally approved key design elements and the potential for funding from sources such as Medicare and Medicaid. Such discussions were recommended by the Healthy California for All Commission last year. The current state budget has money for hiring consultants and staff to undertake them. SB 770 specifies a timeline for the talks and would also establish a diverse “waiver working group” appointed by the governor and legislature to participate in the process. The bill is sponsored by the Healthy California Now statewide coalition.
Read the press release and fact sheet for SB 770. And here is an article published in the SF Chronicle.