Running for governor in California, Xavier Becerra has moved away from supporting Medicare for all, a policy reform he has endorsed for decades. He needs support from interest groups who oppose it, reports April Dembrosky for KQED. And, strategically, he is likely better off supporting an expansion of Medicare as an option for Californians and allowing others to keep their private health insurance if they prefer it.
Becerra understands the value of government-run health insurance for all Americans. But, he needs the support from special interest groups in order to move that reform forward. Now, he has won the support of the California Medical Association.
Physicians in California and around the country are not prepared to support government-run health care for all. While Medicare for all could work for them financially and would give them more freedom to treat their patients as they deem appropriate than the corporate insurers, they fear government control of our health care system. They are not prepared to acknowledge that a single-payer system is the only way to guarantee affordable health care to all Amerians–as it would rationalize provider rates, negotiate prescription drug prices, eliminate much of the administrative bureaucracy and waste and automatically cover everyone.
Becerra has always said that health care is a right of all Americans; it should not be a privilege, only available to those who can afford it. As recently as March 23, 2026, Becerra said he wanted to “deliver single-payer health care for [California].” He still supports it but does not see it as a viable option today.
If elected Governor in California, Becerra will need to focus on restoring the $9.5 billion in Medicaid and social safety net cuts the state faces as a result of President Trump’s H.R.1 law. Becerra needs to ensure every Californian has access to the care they need. President Trump is not going to allow California to redeploy federal money for a single-payer system.
Here’s more from Just Care:
- Poll: Two-thirds of Americans support Medicare for All
- Government agency finds Medicare for all saves money
- Health care costs are prohibitive for one in three people with Medicare
- Medicare for those who choose it, a first step to guaranteed affordable health care for all
- Medicare for all would save $600 billion a year in administrative costs
