California governor and Democratic lawmakers...

Although Newsom and his Democratic allies have passed major expansions in coverage, the state does not have universal health care. Experts say more than 2.5 million Californians remain uninsured, including unauthorized immigrants who earn too much to qualify for MediCal, and lawmakers are growing increasingly agitated that not all residents who are insured can afford to use their coverage.

“There was a clear commitment that these dollars were going to be used to bring down heath care costs, and we haven’t done it,” said Assembly member Pilar Schiavo, a Democrat representing the Santa Clarita Valley, who introduced a bill that would require any revenue raised from the individual mandate be permanently set aside for health care. Though it died this year, it can be revived next year, and advocates say they will continue pressing Newsom to distribute the existing money to

Covered California consumers.

“We need to keep our promises,” Schiavo said. “If you have insurance that you can’t afford to use, or you’re afraid to go see the doctor because of how high that bill might be, then you don’t truly have access or universal coverage.” (Angela Hart/ KFF Health News) This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.