09/09/2026
‘It’s Triage’: California’s Next Governor Will Face Destabilizing Surge in Uninsured
By the time Democrat Xavier Becerra left Washington, D.C., more Americans than ever had health insurance, owing partly to his work over the years to pass, defend, and expand the Affordable Care Act.
It’s an achievement the former congressman and former U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services touts while campaigning to be the next Governor of California.
Possibly Xavier Becerra or Steve Hilton will face what may be the steepest decline in health insurance coverage in a generation. By 2030, the number of uninsured Californians under 65 is expected to nearly double from 2.4 million to 4.6 million. The anticipated rise in the uninsured population could have broad implications for hospital systems, insurers, and the economy. In February, Miranda Dietz, the labor center’s healthcare program director, told legislators the changes could end up costing California about 200,000 jobs, mostly in the healthcare industry.
Hospital executives have begun reporting more unpaid medical bills and experts warn health plans will raise premiums further as they’re left with enrollees who are, on average, sicker and more expensive to cover.
Full article here:
https://kffhealthnews.org/elections/xavier-becerra-longtime-health-coverage-champion-california-gubernatorial-race-uninsured-rate/
