'Single Payer' Healthcare Within Reach For California, Elk Grove Democratic Club Told



January 19, 2017 |

A leading healthcare reform advocate told members of the Elk Grove-South County Democratic Club that a single payer healthcare for the State of California is within reach.

In a presentation on Tuesday night, January 17 at the club's monthly meeting at the Elk Grove Public Library, Keith McCallin of Health Care for All California, said in light of the Republican Congressional efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), California is well positioned to implement a single payer system.

At the cornerstone of McCallin's assertion were previous legislative efforts in California and the supermajority of Democratic party members in the California State Assembly and the Senate. McCallin pointed out ever before the ACA came to light, in 2008 a single payer legislation was vetoed by former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"We are the only state in the union that can think positively about the future of healthcare," McCallin said.

While the super majority of Democrat Assemblymembers and Senators will make the possibility of a single payer health care more likely, McCallin said even within the Democratic caucus there is some trepidation on making such a move.

McCallin also noted concerns from specific heath care advocacy groups who fear a single payer system will negatively affect care for patients with specific conditions.

"Here is the big thing I have learned, " McCallin said. "The biggest barrier to single payer is, as I see it, in the state of California is fear and misinformation."

Although there are many challenges before a single payer system can be implemented in California, much less the United States, McCallin noted there is widespread support across the political spectrum.

Despite these challenges and what will likely be a large political fight, McCallin expressed confidence a single payer system will be implemented in California.

"We will be the bright spot for healthcare in this country," he concluded.

Below is the entire audio of the McCallin's presentation. His portion starts at about the 9:00 minute mark and is preceded by a presentation by Assemblymembers Ken Cooley (D - Rancho Cordova) and Jim Cooper (D -Elk Grove).



      




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