California is now subsidizing health insurance for residents up to 600% of the federal poverty level, $154,500 for a family of four, with complex caveats based on age, household size and location. So far, 486,000 people have qualified. californiahealthline.org/news/some-rejo…
Those subsidies are couple with an individual mandate, in the form of a tax penalty for those who fail to buy insurance (with exceptions based on religion, financial hardship, etc.) californiahealthline.org/news/californi…
This structure has been suggested in New York as a path to universal coverage that would be far less costly and disruptive than single-payer. California is giving us a chance to see it in action.
