Back in the U.S., California Democrats are pushing forward a proposal for statewide universal healthcare. The measure would be funded by new taxes on businesses and individuals with higher incomes. On Saturday, the California Nurses Association held car caravans in 15 cities across the state, where health and labor advocates joined with elected officials to promote the California Guaranteed Healthcare for All Act, also known as CalCare and A.B. 1400.

Zenei Triunfo-Cortez: “CalCare finally guarantees healthcare as a human right in California. It ensures the elimination of the profit motive and that patient care is the highest priority.”

Assemblymember Ash Kalra: “Remember, Medicare was called radical, too. It was called socialism. It was called — the same business groups, the American Medical Association was against it. Let’s remember that these battles have been fought and won before.”

Dr. Oranit Limmaneeprasert: “I am looking at my colleagues, who tell me they are worried about their families’ well-being. We are told it’s too expensive to have a single-payer healthcare system. Guess what, life is priceless. Health is priceless.”