dpA single-payer healthcare proposal, also known as Medicare for All, has the gubernatorial candidates split.
Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra has supported single-payer for decades, but according to a KQED report from May, the candidate allegedly softened his support as he sought the endorsement of the California Medical Association in his bid for California’s next governor.
Becerra “said very clearly that, at this point, he wasn’t supportive of single payer,” Dr. René Bravo, president of the California Medical Association, told KQED. The association endorsed Becerra in late April.
Days after KQED’s report, during CNN’s first gubernatorial debate on May 5, Becerra pushed back on claims he was distancing himself from Medicare for All, calling “those reports” inaccurate. “I haven’t changed,” Becerra said. “I continue to be for Medicare for All.”
Meanwhile, former Fox News host Steve Hilton has strongly opposed the proposal outright. During the previous debate, he called the plan “a total disaster.”
The Republican candidate plans to cut healthcare costs by ending “free healthcare” for undocumented immigrants, halting provider consolidation and pushing for more competition among health insurance companies, according to a campaign video on his Facebook page.
Medicare is the government-run health insurance program that covers all Americans 65 and older and is funded by taxpayers.
Proponents of Medicare for All want to expand this program to cover more people. Some, such as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, are pushing for Medicare to cover all citizens and lawful permanent residents, while others such as Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow are pushing to lower the age requirement.
David Wright, Arit John and Patrick Svitek contributed reporting.
