Ted Cruz Faults California Democrats Over Universal Health Care

what happened

Benzinga reported that Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, criticized California Democrats for not establishing government-funded universal health care. Cruz argued that the state’s Democrats control the governor’s office and hold supermajorities in both legislative chambers, leaving them with no political obstacle to advancing the proposal.

In a post on X Sunday, Cruz said Democrats had reviewed the plan and determined that it might “destroy the economy,” inflict billions of dollars in economic damage and push small companies out of California. He added that even the state’s “wild-eyed socialists” had acknowledged they could not afford the measure.

Benzinga also cited other supporters of universal coverage. In August, Rep. Ro Khanna referred to a Yale analysis that estimated potential annual U.S. health-care savings of $1.04 trillion, or almost 20%, with those funds available for hospital care and increased payments to providers. In July, Sen. Bernie Sanders cited 85 million uninsured or underinsured people and 500,000 bankruptcies linked to medical debt, calling health care a human right. Mark Cuban previously made a similar rights-based argument while warning against financially damaging doctors and providers.

The report further mentioned earlier Trump administration action involving California and Minnesota over suspected fraud and noncompliance. Gov. Gavin Newsom said California was being targeted for political reasons and pledged cooperation against fraud. Khanna separately urged support for Proposition 40, saying its defeat could leave 3.5 million Californians without coverage and cost 150,000 health-care workers their jobs. He proposed taxing billionaires to finance care.

why it matters

The dispute highlights the fiscal and business consequences at the center of debates over publicly funded health care, including costs for governments, providers and employers.

instruments