Introduction to History of California Single Payer Legislation & Movement: 1997-2023 

Courtesy of Dan Hodges (dmhodges@pacbell.net), co-founder of Health Care for All California

What is Single Payer or Improved Medicare for All?

“Single Payer” refers to a way to pay for healthcare.  One public or quasi-public agency would pay all healthcare claims.

 

How would single payer save money?

By vastly simplifying the billing and payment process, which studies show could save billions of dollars in administrative expenses.

The U.S. currently has a multi-payer system, with hundreds of insurers, employers and government agencies paying claims, and a wide variety of insurance policies with different provider networks, patient-share responsibilities and coverages.

Due in large part to the administrative costs of the multi-payer system, the U.S. pays more for health care than any other developed nation, yet has worse outcomes.

 

What does single payer have to do with Medicare?

“Single payer” is sometimes called “Improved Medicare for All” because it is similar to the U.S. Medicare program which currently only covers people aged 65 or older or younger people with certain disabilities.

 

Who would Improved Medicare for All cover, and for what?

Typically, Medicare-for-All proposals cover every resident for life and offer very broad coverage currently unavailable in the U.S.

For example, they include vision, dental and hearing coverage, and even long-term care along with doctor and hospital services, with no upfront costs like deductibles and co-pays.

Doctors and hospitals would remain independent of the agency paying the bills, leaving healthcare decisions in the hands of patients and doctors, rather than health insurance companies.