With the race for California governor heating up, health-care costs and access have emerged as major campaign issues. At a Nov. 7 forum in Riverside, four Democratic contenders — Xavier Becerra, Tony Thurmond, Betty Yee, and Antonio Villaraigosa — all pledged to prioritize expanding coverage and keeping services intact, even as they offered limited detail on how they’d rein in rising costs.
According to a poll conducted ahead of the forum, almost 80% of likely voters are concerned about the cost of health care, and 72% believe the next governor should focus on capping out-of-pocket expenses. The urgency stems from several converging factors: provider price increases, an aging population, rising rates of chronic disease, and the escalating cost-of-living pressures Californians face.
In their remarks:
Becerra positioned himself as a future “health care governor,” building on Gavin Newsom's legacy.
Thurmond committed to creating a single-payer system covering everyone.
Yee focused on reconstructing health-care access with tax credits and programs tailored to California’s diverse communities.
Villaraigosa pledged to defend the safety-net health system but acknowledged budget constraints.
On financing, Becerra, Thurmond, and Yee indicated openness to tax increases or restructuring to pay for expanded programs. Villaraigosa preferred to “grow the pie” through economic development rather than raise taxes.
Significantly, the candidates highlighted the federal government's role in health funding. For example, proposed federal Medicaid cuts are predicted to affect up to 3.4 million Californians—an issue that state leadership will inherit. Meanwhile, people with employer-based insurance face average family premiums nearing $27,000 this year, adding to public concern.
With the California primary set for June 2 and the general election on Nov. 3, health care is already central to the political conversation. How the candidates address affordability, coverage, and access may well shape their viability and the state’s health-care future.