A proposal to cover the uninsured in California

The lack of health coverage for millions of Californians is a major societal problem. In the absence of federal action, we propose a state-based approach that leverages existing systems to create near-universal coverage within two years. We describe several subsidized benefit options for low-income uninsured Californians, emphasizing preventive and primary care, and we propose catastrophic coverage, at a minimum, for higher-income uninsured Californians. Proposed financing mechanisms include a health care sales tax and an "in-lieu" payroll tax.