What You Should Know

• California may become the first U.S. state to implement and utilize a universal healthcare system
• California legislature faces powerful opposition from private health insurance companies
• Universal healthcare allows every citizen to have the same access to medical care but could create longer wait times for care and higher taxes

Lawmakers are debating two bills that may make universal healthcare possible in California. The first bill would create the actual universal healthcare system, while the second would implement tax increases throughout the state, especially for wealthy individuals and businesses.

This large-scale healthcare reform faces many different hurdles in California as countless powerful lobbies and private insurance companies alike take issue with the projected overhaul of the state’s current healthcare system.

What is universal healthcare?

Universal healthcare allows all citizens to have access to quality medical services. Universal healthcare is offered to anyone, regardless of whether each individual can afford health insurance premiums.

The universal healthcare model contrasts other healthcare systems which require policyholders to pay individual medical costs and insurance premiums. The government relies heavily on taxpayer money in order to offset medical costs.

California universal healthcare will follow this same model if both universal healthcare bills are approved.

This is not the first time California has set out to replace private health insurance plans with a universal, state-funded program. Among other opposition, California legislature has run into issues passing universal healthcare due to powerful healthcare lobbies.

What are the pros and cons of California universal healthcare?

When it comes to whether universal healthcare would be the best option for the U.S., individuals and lawmakers have varying opinions. Some of the pros when it comes to universal healthcare include:

• Every citizen would get the same access to medical care
• Potentially low healthcare costs as private insurance companies are no longer necessary
• A potentially healthier population

While the points above sound positive, a universal healthcare system also has its drawbacks, including:

• Excessive government control could limit expensive services that have a lower probability of success
• Longer wait times for surgeries, procedures, and other forms of medical care
• An increase in taxes, especially for those in a higher tax bracket

The California universal healthcare bills have gained more momentum now than ever before, but plenty of people, companies, and larger lobbies still stand in opposition to the proposal.

If California universal healthcare is approved, this could revolutionize the way healthcare is handled throughout the United States and how most citizens go about finding affordable health insurance.

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