According to Dylan Roby, PhD, an associate professor of health, society and behavior at the University of California Irvine Program in Public Health, the system would be built on a fee-for-service model, similar to Medicare.

Advocates have argued that the COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on gaps in care and the disparities based on race, ethnicity, income, and location.

A single-payer system would eliminate costly premiums, copays, and deductibles, which would help close gaps and expand access to care to all.

Roby, who has co-authored multiple analyses exploring the costs and potential issues with AB-1400, says several issues would need to be worked out for the system to succeed.