Paul Krugman: Golden State Gamble

The New York Times
Friday 12 January 2007

A few days ago Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled an ambitious plan to bring universal health insurance to California. And I'm of two minds about it.

On one side, it's very encouraging to see another Republican governor endorse the principle that all Americans are entitled to essential health care. Not long ago we were wondering whether the Bush administration would succeed in dismantling Social Security. Now we're discussing proposals for universal health care. What a difference two years makes!

And if California - America's biggest state, with a higher-than-average percentage of uninsured residents - can achieve universal coverage, so can the nation as a whole.