Healthcare Crisis in California

California gubernatorial candidates clash over a projected surge in uninsured residents by 2030.

Democrat Xavier Becerra is running for California governor, promising to prevent the largest decline in health insurance coverage in a generation. By 2030, the number of uninsured Californians under 65 is expected to nearly double from 2.4 million to 4.6 million, according to a May analysis by the UC-Berkeley Labor Center. This could cost California about 200,000 jobs, mostly in the healthcare industry. The rise in the uninsured population could have implications for hospital systems, insurers, and the economy. Becerr, who previously served as California attorney general, has pledged to keep those affected by federal cuts insured but has not specified how this would occur. His opponent, Republican Steve Hilton, has proposed cutting off coverage for Californians without legal status using state income tax breaks.