California Assemblymember Ash Kalra and the California Nurses Association reintroduced legislation that would create a single-payer health care system in the state. Assembly Bill 1900 is known as the California Guaranteed Health Care for All Act, or CalCare would establish a statewide system providing health coverage to all Californians through a single public program.

According to a recent poll by David Binder, research showed that nearly two-thirds of California voters want major changes to the state’s health care system. The poll also found more than 40% of voters said it has become harder to afford health care in recent years.

Kalra, who represents California’s 25th Assembly District, said the bill would begin a transition to a system where health care is treated as a human right. 

“Access to healthcare should never be determined by your employment, location, gender or sexual orientation, age, or pre-existing conditions. In light of devastating cuts from the federal government, we must reject the inequities of the worsening system and fight for a better future for all Californians. We cannot afford to wait any longer. I strongly believe passing the policy legislation of CalCare, then following the process outlined in the Affordable Care Act to secure federal waivers and funding is our best path forward,” Assemblymember Kalra said in a statement.

Union leaders with the California Nurses Association said they are backing the bill and organizing support statewide. The group said more than 270 organizations have endorsed CalCare and that patients and community members have attended town halls across California to learn about the proposal.

“CalCare is a winning issue for California Democrats. Elected representatives in Sacramento have a clear public mandate to pass CalCare. From Prop. 50’s passage to Zohran Mamdani’s election to this new poll on California’s health care system, Democratic voters across the country have made it clear they strongly support a bold response to the right-wing billionaire agenda and a transformative vision for the country,” said Sandy Reding, RN, and president of California Nurses Association. 

The proposal comes as California faces uncertainty over federal health care funding. 

The California Nurses Association said the bill would first create a CalCare Board and advisory commission to develop a transition plan, with limited budget impact in the early stages.

If fully implemented, CalCare would provide health care coverage to all residents regardless of income, job status, or immigration status, and would include long-term care services and cost controls, according to the bill’s sponsors.

Kalra and the nurses’ union said they plan to continue pushing for legislative approval of the proposal during the 2026 session.