California assemblymembers filed a proposal to fine-tune the California Guaranteed Health Care for All Act (CalCare) for all California residents to have access to comprehensive health care coverage.
The proposed amendment, led by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose), would allow Californians to freely opt for their chosen providers without considering network affiliations.
"We are proud of those who took this monumental step,” California Nurses Association President Cathy Kennedy told People's World. “Moving forward on legislation that can finally build health security for millions is a day to remember. It offers hope for California families who have long endured the pain and suffering of a broken health care system that shuts out so many in need of care or buries them under thousands of dollars — or more — of medical debt and the nightmare of choosing which other family basics to cut.”
Under the proposal, patients would not pay out-of-pocket costs, including premiums, deductibles and copays, according to People's World.
With universal single-payer health coverage, proponents say it would allow hospitals and health care professionals to focus on patient care.
CalCare could be funded through taxes, such as an annual excise tax on businesses with gross income over $2 million, payroll taxes on companies with more than 50 employees or a tax on employees making more than $50,000 per year.
