Universal health care bill faces deadline in California

(KYMA, KECY/ AP News) - A bill in the California state legislature that would create the nation’s only statewide universal health care system takes a crucial step on Monday.

California Democrats must decide whether to advance the universal health care bill that would make the government pay for everybody’s health care.

This decision alone will be a key test to determine if one of their most long-sought policy goals can overcome fierce opposition from business groups and the insurance industry.

While this bill is still a long way from becoming law, Monday is the last chance for lawmakers in the assembly to keep the bill alive this year.

The debate will likely be dominated by concerns about cost as the latest estimate says it would cost taxpayers at least $356 billion per year to pay for the health care of nearly 40 million residents. 

And that is a number that soars past the state's total operating budget, roughly $262 billion this year— which pays for public schools, courts, roads and bridges and other important services.