While California Governor Gavin Newsom was unsuccessful at implementing single-payer health care during his reign, three 2026 candidates have all included promises in their platforms to fight for CalCare in the state. Single-payer health care has been a recurring but unresolved issue in California f or nearly a decade. Gavin Newsom backed the concept during his 2017 campaign, but the proposal — often referred to as CalCare — never advanced into law, leaving it stalled without sufficient legislative support.As KSEE24/KRON4 reports, among the current candidates, three have clearly aligned themselves with a single-payer policy: Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, and Xavier Becerra, which the outlet confirmed through public statements, social media posts, and responses to media inquiries.A spokesperson for Porter said she has consistently backed single-payer, pointing to recent posts where she called it the only way to guarantee high-quality care for all Californians and framed the issue as urgent amid what she describes as a growing health care crisis. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Katie Porter (@katieporterca) CalMatters reports that Steyer had previously opposed single-payer health care during his 2020 campaign but changed his mind last year. His campaign highlights his policy platform, which outlines a commitment to single-payer. In a recent video, he linked the proposal to broader concerns about affordability in California, arguing it would significantly reduce health care costs statewide, per KSEE24.Becerra, who has reportedly supported single-payer for decades, reiterated that stance in campaign messaging, saying he would continue pushing toward a universal system as governor. In multiple posts marking the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, he said he’s prepared to go further by pursuing single-payer coverage in California.KSEE24 reports that if CalCare is adopted, it would establish a universal, no-cost health care system for residents, eliminating premiums, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket expenses. A version of the plan introduced this year in the California State Assembly outlines comprehensive coverage and a state-run cost control system intended to expand access to care.The Inside California Politics gubernatorial primary debate is scheduled to air at 7 pm Wednesday, April 22, across multiple California television markets and streaming platforms.Image: SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 22: Supporters of single payer health care hold signs as they protest outside of the Anthem Blue Cross offices September 22, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) ...read more read less