Universal healthcare in California fails to go to a vote as nurses slam decision

Sacramento, California - CalCare, California's version of Medicare for All, failed to make it out of the State Assembly on Monday.

California Assemblymember Ash Kalra, author of AB 1400, decided not to put the bill to a vote on Monday.
California Assemblymember Ash Kalra, author of AB 1400, decided not to put the bill to a vote on Monday.  © Collage: Screenshots/Twitter/Ash Kalra

Assemblymember Ash Kalra, author of the AB 1400 California Guaranteed Health Care for All Act, known as CalCare, decided not to bring the bill to a vote, saying he did not have enough support from fellow lawmakers for it to pass.

"Despite heavy opposition and substantial misinformation from those that stand to profit from our current healthcare system, we were able to ignite a realistic and achievable path toward single-payer and bring AB 1400 to the floor of the Assembly," Kalra said in a Monday statement.

"However, it became clear that we did not have the votes necessary for passage and I decided the best course of action is to not put AB 1400 for a vote today," he continued, adding that four Democratic seats remain unfilled in the Assembly.

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The failure to meet the deadline of midnight on Monday means that the bill will not have a chance to become state law this year.

California nurses condemn the decision

The California Nurses Association, supporters of AB 1400, condemned Kalra and other Assemblymembers for not voting on the bill.
The California Nurses Association, supporters of AB 1400, condemned Kalra and other Assemblymembers for not voting on the bill.  © Collage: Screenshots/Twitter/California Nurses

Nevertheless, Kalra maintained a note of hope: "Although the bill did not pass the Assembly by today’s deadline, this is only a pause for the single-payer movement; our coalition, including the mighty California Nurses Association, will continue the fight for accessible, affordable, and equitable healthcare for all Californians."

The decision did not sit well with all supporters of the bill, including the California Nurses Association.

The group released a statement, saying, "Nurses condemn this failure by elected representatives to put patients above profits, especially during the worst surge of Covid-19 yet, at a time when it’s more clear than ever before that health care must be a right, not just a privilege for those who can afford it."

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"Nurses are especially outraged that Kalra chose to just give up on patients across the state," they continued. "Nurses never give up on our patients, and we will keep fighting with our allies in the grassroots movement for CalCare until all people in California can get the care they need, regardless of ability to pay."

More than 3 million Californians – nearly 10% of the state's population – are uninsured, according to the UC Berkeley Labor Center.

Cover photo: Collage: Screenshots/Twitter/Ash Kalra

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