Jan 12, 2022
The prospect of single-payer health care has reemerged in California with Assembly Bill 1400. A proposed constitutional amendment would create a funding mechanism through new income taxes, payroll taxes, and business taxes.
“AB 1400 would effectively abolish private health insurance in California and mandate a government-run healthcare monopoly called ‘CalCare’,” said Bruce D. Benton, Vice President of public affairs for California Agents & Health Insurance Professionals (CAHIP), formerly known as CAHU.
CalCare would replace all public and private individual and group health insurance coverage, including Medicare, Medi-Cal, Long-Term Care, and Covered California. Brad Davis, President of CAHIP said, “The proposed single-payer law forces Californians into healthcare chaos while demanding they hand over an additional $200 billion per year in new state taxes.”
“Now is not the time to jeopardize the health and financial wellbeing of every Californian. Thanks to state and federal investments, healthcare has never been more accessible,” he added. Seventy-two percent of voters are satisfied with the timeliness, cost, quality, availability, and accessibility of their health care coverage. Nearly 65% of voters oppose legislation establishing single-payer healthcare, according to a recent phone poll by CAHIP.
Davis said, “We urge the Assembly to listen to Californians and oppose AB 1400, which would force every single resident into a new, untested government-run healthcare system with no ability to opt-out and no guarantees that they could keep their doctors or benefits.”
All Hands on Deck
CAHIP will soon be seeking your support through Operation Shout. In the meantime, it’s essential for brokers to learn about these attempts that would threaten health plans for millions of Californians:
Summary of ACA 11 Financing
Single-Payer Poll Infographic
Legislative Webinar on January 20
