Anthem Blue Cross seeks to raise individual policyholders’ rates

By Chad Terhune for the Los Angeles Times – California’s largest for-profit health insurer, Anthem Blue Cross, is seeking to raise rates an average of 18% for more than 630,000 individual policyholders, drawing scrutiny from regulators and the ire of consumers already struggling with soaring premiums. Some Anthem customers may see rates rise as much…

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Why Did Single-Payer Health Care Fail in California?

By Lenny Potash for Labor Notes – Though it’s passed the legislature twice before, a bill to establish a single-payer universal health insurance system in California failed in the state senate in January. Not surprisingly, the bill received no Republican votes, but it fell just two votes short of passage when two Democrats voted no…

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California single-payer health care bill stalls in state Senate

From the Sacramento Bee – California’s “Medicare for all” universal health care legislation fell short of the 21 votes needed to pass the state Senate today. Senate Bill 810 failed on a 19-15 vote during this morning’s floor session, with four moderate Democrats abstaining and one voting no. Democratic Sen. Mark Leno, who authored the…

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Senator Leno’s Single-Payer Health Care Bill Clears Senate Appropriations

From PNHPCalifornia.org – SACRAMENTO – The Senate Appropriations Committee today approved the California Universal Health Care Act, authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco). Senate Bill 810 guarantees all Californians comprehensive, universal health care while reducing the state’s ballooning health care costs and improving the quality of care and delivery of health services statewide. The…

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Calif. health professional students rally for single payer

Note: What follows is some of the media coverage given to parallel marches and rallies held on Monday, Jan. 9, in Sacramento and Los Angeles protesting the continuing injustices in U.S. health care and calling for a universal, single-payer health system. The protests were sponsored by the California Health Professional Student Alliance (CaHPSA), the Campaign…

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Doctor: Universal Health Care Opponents Play Public for Fools

In an address to the Redlands Democratic Club, Dr. Bill Honigman said the arguments that a single payer plan is socialized medicine or that the state cannot afford the plan is simply wrong. By Gina Tenorio for LomaLinda.Patch.com – When it comes to a universal and single payer health care plan, Dr. Bill Honigman says…

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Single-Payer Hopefuls Press Their Cause

By David Gorn for California Healthline – Only in San Francisco can a guy wearing a rainbow rasta wig be a voice of reason. But there he was, among an estimated 400 boisterous protesters, trying to keep the sidewalk clear so pedestrians could pass through the colorful event. Event organizer Don Bechler also was busy…

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Single Payer in California?

By Truthout – The national debate over health care can be summed up in a bill being debated in Sacramento. Supporters of Senate Bill 810 say the legislation would be the only way to provide medical coverage for every Californian. Opponents deride the measure as socialized medicine. The California Universal Healthcare Act was introduced by…

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California Single Payer Health Care Bill Passes Health Committee

From the Office of Sen. Mark Leno – May 4, 2011 SACRAMENTO, CA – The Senate Health Committee today approved the California Universal Health Care Act, authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco). Senate Bill 810 guarantees all Californians comprehensive, universal health care while containing ballooning health care costs and improving the quality of care…

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State Budget Cuts Are Bad for Your Health

By Bill Boyarsky for Truthdig.com – The budget cuts being proposed in state capitals around the country may sound vague and abstract, but what they boil down to are many scenes of misery. Picture, for example, an asthmatic kid waiting several hours in an emergency ward for treatment that will allow her to resume normal…

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