Newsom Embarks on Statewide Health Care Tour, Announces Additional County Participation in Prescription Drug Single-Purchaser System

Governor Gavin Newsom this week embarked on a statewide “California for All” Health Care Tour to highlight his Administration’s “major, first-in-the nation” proposals to improve health care affordability, lower prescription drug costs, and move California closer to the goal of health care for all. Governor Newsom’s proposals include expanding full-scope Medi-Cal coverage to all undocumented young adults ages 19-25, expanding financial assistance to individuals to purchase health insurance in the private market and providing monthly discounts to middle-income families purchasing insurance, creating a single-purchaser system for prescription drugs, working with Congress to secure a federal waiver to move closer to a single-payer health system, and making additional investments in reproductive and sexual healthcare.

One week after releasing his May Revision, Governor Newsom began his tour in Sacramento at a Covered California location, hosting a roundtable with individuals who would receive financial assistance to help afford health coverage. Other stops throughout the state to highlight his Administration’s proposals included events in Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco.

In San Francisco, Governor Newsom was joined by San Francisco Mayor London Breed and officials from Alameda and Santa Clara counties to announce that the three Bay Area counties would be joining the state’s prescription drug single-purchaser system. Recall, last month, Los Angeles County joined the state’s efforts. The Newsom Administration contends that by establishing the statewide purchasing program, more California residents and private employers would be able to bargain with prescription drug companies in negotiating drug prices.

Press releases from the Governor’s Office are available here: California For All Health Care Tour and Prescription Drug Single-Payer Purchasing System