Supporters call it "Medicare for all." The bill would provide universal health access to all Californians by delivering government-funded care through public-private partnerships.
The bill's author Democratic State Senator Mark Leno said his legislation would eliminate wasteful health care spending.
LENO: About a half of our health care dollar is squandered on both administrative and clinical waste.
But Nick Louizos of the California Association of Health Plans told the committee that industry is already rushing to implement changes under federal health care reform.
Louizos: We would ask you to oppose efforts that we believe are counterproductive to that effort and a distraction to the important work that has yet to be accomplished.
The single payer bill will be heard next in senate appropriations committee.
