A bill that would create a universal health care system in California faces a crucial test this week in the State Assembly. The measure has already passed the State Senate. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.
The bill would create a non-profit, public health insurance plan to cover all Californians. To help finance it, employers would be subject to a payroll tax of about eight percent, and employees would pay about three-point-seven percent of their wages.
The measure would eliminate the need for private insurance and its premiums.
Sylvia Hampton is with the group Health Care for All San Diego. She says the current system needs to be changed.
Hampton: We cannot dink around with incremental, baby steps. We must take a radical, big step.
But critics say the measure would lead to massive tax increase. Insurance companies are lobbying hard against the bill.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
