The state Legislature gaveled in a special session on healthcare Monday, with lawmakers introducing measures to help California implement President Obama's healthcare overhaul.
Most Americans face the requirement in January 2014 to buy health insurance or pay a penalty under the federal Affordable Care Act.
Underscoring the importance of the issue, legislative leaders in both houses sponsored bills that would dramatically expand Medi-Cal, the state's public insurance program for the poor. Under the proposals, individuals earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level -- or $15,415 a year -- would be covered, potentially adding more than 1 million Californians to the Medi-Cal rolls.
The federal government would subsidize costs for the first three years, phasing down to 90% after that.
Read more at the LA Times
