California Assembly Reintroduces CalCare Universal Healthcare Bill

Green Party candidate Dr. Butch Ware makes universal healthcare a central campaign issue, unlike other major candidates.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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For the third time in five years, Assemblyman Ash Kalra has introduced the California Guaranteed Health Care for All Act (CalCare), Assembly Bill 1900, with sponsorship from the California Nurses Association (CNA). However, the bill's passage faces opposition from the for-profit healthcare industry and its lobbyists. While a recent CNA poll found 86% of Democratic voters support a single-payer system, most major candidates for California governor are not campaigning on the issue. The only candidate making universal healthcare a central part of his platform is Green Party candidate Dr. Butch Ware.

Why it matters

The reintroduction of CalCare comes at a critical time, as Republicans in Congress have passed major funding cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act. This raises questions about how the Democratic Party will respond and whether healthcare will be a key campaign issue in the upcoming midterm elections. The fate of CalCare could also impact the 2028 California gubernatorial race, as current Governor Gavin Newsom is widely expected to run for president.

The details

Assemblyman Ash Kalra, with sponsorship from the California Nurses Association (CNA), has introduced the California Guaranteed Health Care for All Act (CalCare), Assembly Bill 1900, for the third time in the last five years. The bill aims to establish a single-payer, universal healthcare system in California. However, the bill's passage faces strong opposition from the for-profit healthcare industry and its lobbyists. A recent CNA poll found that 86% of Democratic voters support a single-payer healthcare system, and 76% of Democrats would be more likely to support a gubernatorial candidate who backs creating a single-payer system. Despite this, most major candidates for California governor are not actively campaigning on the issue of universal healthcare.

  • CalCare was first introduced in the California Assembly in 2021.
  • CalCare is being reintroduced in the California Assembly in 2026.

The players

Ash Kalra

A California Assemblyman who has introduced the CalCare universal healthcare bill for the third time in the last five years.

California Nurses Association (CNA)

A labor union that is sponsoring the CalCare bill and commissioned a poll showing strong voter support for a single-payer healthcare system in California.

Dr. Butch Ware

The Green Party candidate for governor of California who has made implementing universal healthcare a central issue in his campaign.

Gavin Newsom

The current governor of California who is widely expected to run for president in 2028. Newsom previously expressed support for universal healthcare but has not made it a priority in his administration.

Tom Steyer

A Democratic candidate for California governor who has not made universal healthcare a central campaign issue, despite the California Nurses Association endorsing him.

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What they’re saying

“This legislation will ensure that all Californians, regardless of employment, income, immigration status, race, gender, or any other considerations, can get the health care they need, free at the point of service. CalCare also includes long-term services and supports for people with disabilities and the elderly, a health care cost control system, and ways to address health care disparities.”

— California Nurses Association (Press release)

“The enhanced subsidies (now history) contributed to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Medicaid cuts threaten to kick millions off insurance and shutter over 300 rural hospitals, affecting the lives of millions more. A majority of Americans believe that national single payer, improved Medicare for all, free from profit is the only solution to our nation's health care crisis. How do we organize the movement required at this moment?”

— National Single Payer (Webinar)

What’s next

The CalCare bill will need to navigate the California legislative process, facing potential opposition from the for-profit healthcare industry and its lobbyists. The outcome of the bill could impact the 2028 California gubernatorial race, as universal healthcare remains a key issue for many voters.

The takeaway

The reintroduction of the CalCare universal healthcare bill in the California Assembly highlights the ongoing debate over the future of healthcare in the state and the nation. While polls show strong voter support for a single-payer system, most major candidates for California governor are not actively campaigning on the issue, with the notable exception of Green Party candidate Dr. Butch Ware. The fate of CalCare could have significant political implications, both in the upcoming midterm elections and the 2028 California gubernatorial race.