Could California adopt universal healthcare for 39 million people?

[applegrove]

Dan Walters at the Sacramento Bee

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/dan-walters/article130592844.html

"SNIP...........

Eric Bauman, a registered nurse who aspires to become the next chairman of the California Democratic Party, says it’s time for California to become a “healthcare sanctuary” by providing universal, state-operated medical coverage.

A large concerned crowd attends the town hall meeting held by Rep. Ami Bera at Elk Grove City Hall on Jan. 28, 2017. The meeting was packed with a diverse crowd concerned with the new Trump administration and wanting to know how Bera would oppose aspects of the administration’s agenda, including threats to dismantle the Affordable Health Care Act.

A large concerned crowd attends the town hall meeting held by Rep. Ami Bera at Elk Grove City Hall on Jan. 28, 2017. The meeting was packed with a diverse crowd concerned with the new Trump administration and wanting to know how Bera would oppose aspects of the administration’s agenda, including threats to dismantle the Affordable Health Care Act. Autumn Payne [e-mail]

Citing efforts by a Republican-controlled federal government to repeal Obamacare, Bauman wrote in an op-ed article, “we cannot miss the historic opportunity the moment presents us: enacting single-payer healthcare into California. Let’s take that step and make California a healthcare sanctuary state.”


.............SNIP"

[applegrove]

1. There are 36 Million in Canada and universal health care works

for us.

[Eliot Rosewater]

2. Wow, that is all? I was shocked the other day when I learned how few in Australia also

23.13 million

[Flaleftist]

6. I wonder if there is any way a state run

single payer system would be able to negotiate for or procure from other countries prescription medications at a lower cost, or maybe have enough money to fund creating their own generics.

[BadgerMom]

10. That's a heartening statistic.

I'm ready.

[drray23]

3. Very possible.

They are big enough they could force price regulations on the drug companies at the same time they deploy universal healthcare. Thats the key for systems like the canadian or french system.

[Phoenix61]

4. That would be great!

[gopiscrap]

5. Yes and then they need to seceede

[applegrove]

8. Now, now don't wish for any independant country to

fall apart.

[eniwetok]

23. I've pushed that idea...

though for different reasons

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028380818

[RoadhogRidesAgain]

26. Along with the entire west coast and maybe southern Nevada.

[Kimchijeon]

7. Oh wow, I hope this gets traction... go for it!

[Doreen]

9. It might work if the federal government would not fine/tax them to

have their own health care. I think the only way they could do it is to succeed.

If they did that will they please take Oregon and Washington with them?

[former9thward]

11. Oregon and Washington want nothing to do with California.

As a former resident of OR I remember when OR had a sign at the OR-CA border which said "Visit but don't stay".

[Doreen]

12. I guess Oregon and Wahington need to succeed together then.

I know we like each other.

[former9thward]

17. I have no problem with any state or states which wish to succeed.

And in 100 years I am very confident the U.S. will not exist as it presently does.

[Doreen]

18. I know this sounds weird but we are like Rome and at our 200 year limit.

[former9thward]

19. I totally agree.

Although Rome lasted more than 200 years because its opponents were not as advanced as ours are.

[Wounded Bear]

15. Speak for yourself...

This Washintonian doesn't hold any bad feeling toward a state I inhabited for 30 years.

There might be some people that complain but mostly in the red counties, several of which I expect to turn blue this next cycle. We basically feel a kinship with our blue southern neighbors.

[former9thward]

16. If you inhabited it for 30 years why are you in WA since CA is so wonderful?

[HeartachesNhangovers]

22. I'm not Wounded Bear, but I left CA after 54 years

because I could either stay in the SF Bay Area and work another 10 years, or move to almost any other place in the country (I ended up in Vancouver WA) and retire immediately. For the same rental situation (2 BR/2 BA apartment) I would be paying over $20,000 more every year in Oakland, CA compared to Vancouver, WA.

CA IS wonderful, as long as you make a lot of money. Lots of people move to CA to get high-paying jobs, and lots of people leave when they stop working. Same as NYC and Chicago.

[former9thward]

29. Well I don't think anyplace is wonderful if you have to make a lot of money to live there.

I appreciate what you are saying though. My sister lives in San Diego and she makes a lot of money. Good for her but I would rather live in a place that is more income diverse. I am familiar with Vancouver, my dad used to live on Hayden Island. Vancouver is affordable and next to Portland if you ever want to go there for stuff.

[Wounded Bear]

24. Born and raised in King County WA...

I came home.

[LibraLiz1973]

25. Do you really need to know why he moved?

Your bitchy attitude is garbage.

[former9thward]

27. LOL

Do you post this post to all other posters who ask questions to other posters? I didn't think so. Maybe its your attitude....

[LanternWaste]

28. That's so clever... admiration of a thing requires one to inhabit or posses that thing!

That's so clever... admiration of a thing requires one to inhabit or posses that thing! Of course, it's an inaccurate observation, but I get your reason for relying on such a fallacy.

[angstlessk]

21. I dated a man in the 80's who said Oregon does not want more residents

"Visit but don't stay" is their motto!

[flamingdem]

13. Who will pay?

We hold back payments to Washington?

[canetoad]

14. In 1975

We had a population of aboutn 14 mil. here in Australia when health care was introduced. Still have it.

[question everything]

20. Yes, and the way to do it is by watching how other nations do

You impose a tax - 5% of income - the funds go to for that purpose; not to a "general fund" where the service have IOUs.

Not a penalty not exchange, simple tax that everyone has to pay. And everyone gets a card that opens the doors of a medical provider. In addition, if anyone wants to purchase and individual policy from an insurance company for visiting providers outside the system - go ahead.

I am sure that there will be many providers who would be happy to be part of the state system, will not worry about paperwork, about negotiating with different insurance companies, each with its own code and own agreement. They will be salaried and will be able to enjoy their vocation and time with family and friends.

And then there will be more ambitious providers who would like to be free of the state system.

Mostly, get rid of employer paying insurance!! They do not belong there!! Whatever employer pay now on behalf of employees - give them the money.

[brooklynite]

31. I've always been amazed at people's assumptions...

...that businesses withdrawing from pre-tax health insurance will transfer 100% of the value to post-tax income.

[brooklynite]

30. No...they can't

A State that hasn't overturned Prop 13 in 40 years won't have the political courage to raise taxes enough to pay for this. Just like Vermont and Colorado.