Calif. Gov. Vetoes Bill To Provide Insurance for All Residents Through a State-Run, Single-Payer Health System

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Friday vetoed legislation (SB 840) that would have created a state-run, single payer health system, the San Francisco Chronicle reports (Gledhill/Yi, San Francisco Chronicle, 9/23). The bill, by state Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D), would have eliminated private medical insurance and established a statewide health insurance system for all residents. Funding was not included in the measure because it would have required approval from two-thirds of the state Legislature, which was not possible because of Republican opposition. The bill would have instead established a 21-member commission to develop a plan to recommend a structure of premiums and report to the governor and Legislature by January 2009. The bill also would have established an agency that would act as the state's insurer (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 8/29). In his veto message, Schwarzenegger wrote, "I want to see a new paradigm that addresses affordability, shared responsibility and the promotion of healthy living," adding, "Single-payer, government-run health care does none of this" (Benson, Sacramento Bee, 9/23).