California · Governor · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Where do the candidates stand on healthcare?
- Xavier BecerraDemocrat
- Steve HiltonRepublican
Part of the full California Governor comparison · Last reviewed October 19, 2026
Healthcare
Each position is labeled by what it rests on: a campaign proposal, a public statement, a past action such as a vote or lawsuit, or an enacted policy. Where nothing is documented, the page says so.
Documented positions
Xavier Becerra
Calls health care a human right and says he supports eventually reaching state single-payer coverage; proposes protecting Medi-Cal coverage from federal cuts and using state purchasing power on drug prices.
Show the evidence (2)Hide the evidence
- Campaign proposal2026
Proposes a first-day executive order directing state agencies to maintain coverage for Californians affected by federal cuts or Medi-Cal rollbacks; negotiating drug reimbursement rates across Medi-Cal, state employee plans and other state programs and expanding CalRx; requiring state-regulated payors to reimburse telehealth visits; a healthcare workforce fund offering loan repayment; automated Medi-Cal renewals; and a fee on large employers that do not offer health coverage to low-wage workers who qualify for Medi-Cal. SourceHealth Care - Xavier Becerra (opens in a new tab)Becerra for Governor 2026 · Jan. 6, 2026 · Campaign
- Public statementSept. 2026
His campaign site says he will "build toward a universal single-payer system," and KQED reports he supports eventually getting to state-level single-payer health care. CalMatters reports that he has amended his longtime single-payer position to focus on expanding state coverage to as many residents as possible. 3 sourcesPriorities - Xavier Becerra (opens in a new tab)Becerra for Governor 2026 · Jan. 11, 2026 · Campaign2026 California Voter Guide for the Governor's Race (opens in a new tab)KQED · Sept. 17, 2026 · NewsWho are the 2026 California governor candidates? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 29, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposal2026
Proposes a first-day executive order directing state agencies to maintain coverage for Californians affected by federal cuts or Medi-Cal rollbacks; negotiating drug reimbursement rates across Medi-Cal, state employee plans and other state programs and expanding CalRx; requiring state-regulated payors to reimburse telehealth visits; a healthcare workforce fund offering loan repayment; automated Medi-Cal renewals; and a fee on large employers that do not offer health coverage to low-wage workers who qualify for Medi-Cal. SourceHealth Care - Xavier Becerra (opens in a new tab)Becerra for Governor 2026 · Jan. 6, 2026 · Campaign
- Public statementSept. 2026
His campaign site says he will "build toward a universal single-payer system," and KQED reports he supports eventually getting to state-level single-payer health care. CalMatters reports that he has amended his longtime single-payer position to focus on expanding state coverage to as many residents as possible. 3 sourcesPriorities - Xavier Becerra (opens in a new tab)Becerra for Governor 2026 · Jan. 11, 2026 · Campaign2026 California Voter Guide for the Governor's Race (opens in a new tab)KQED · Sept. 17, 2026 · NewsWho are the 2026 California governor candidates? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 29, 2026 · News
Steve Hilton
Would end state-funded Medi-Cal coverage for immigrants in the country illegally, using the money to lower legal residents' costs; his healthcare plan calls for more insurer competition and anti-fraud action.
Show the evidence (2)Hide the evidence
- Campaign proposal2026
Proposes ending state-provided Medi-Cal coverage for immigrants in the country illegally and redirecting that money to lower healthcare costs for legal residents. CalMatters reports he has not proposed concrete policies to do that. 2 sourcesWho are the 2026 California governor candidates? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 29, 2026 · NewsIn California Governor's Race, Voters Face Stark Choice on Immigrant Healthcare (opens in a new tab)KFF Health News · July 6, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposalSept. 2026
Proposes a "Working Class Healthcare Guarantee" for insured Californians facing high deductibles and other costs, calling for more competition among insurers, action against fraud and redirecting existing healthcare spending toward care; he has floated health savings accounts for lower-income Californians. 2 sourcesCalifornia governor's race: GOP candidate Steve Hilton pitches affordability agenda as he tries to close gap (opens in a new tab)ABC7 San Francisco · Sept. 25, 2026 · NewsWho are the 2026 California governor candidates? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 29, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposal2026
Proposes ending state-provided Medi-Cal coverage for immigrants in the country illegally and redirecting that money to lower healthcare costs for legal residents. CalMatters reports he has not proposed concrete policies to do that. 2 sourcesWho are the 2026 California governor candidates? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 29, 2026 · NewsIn California Governor's Race, Voters Face Stark Choice on Immigrant Healthcare (opens in a new tab)KFF Health News · July 6, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposalSept. 2026
Proposes a "Working Class Healthcare Guarantee" for insured Californians facing high deductibles and other costs, calling for more competition among insurers, action against fraud and redirecting existing healthcare spending toward care; he has floated health savings accounts for lower-income Californians. 2 sourcesCalifornia governor's race: GOP candidate Steve Hilton pitches affordability agenda as he tries to close gap (opens in a new tab)ABC7 San Francisco · Sept. 25, 2026 · NewsWho are the 2026 California governor candidates? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 29, 2026 · News
Recorded votes on healthcare
Selected votes
Xavier Becerra
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590, 111th Congress)
HealthcareHealth care law that created health benefit exchanges, refundable premium tax credits for coverage bought through them, a requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage and expanded Medicaid coverage for the lowest-income populations.
Passed the Senate 60–39 on Dec. 24, 2009; the House agreed to the Senate amendments 219–212 on March 21, 2010; signed into law March 23, 2010 (Public Law 111-148).
4 sourcesRoll Call 165: H.R. 3590, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, On Motion to Concur in Senate Amendments (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · March 21, 2010 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 111th Congress - 1st Session, Vote Number 396: On Passage of the Bill H.R. 3590 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · Dec. 24, 2009 · Legislative recordH.R. 3590 (ENR), Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (opens in a new tab)U.S. Government Publishing Office (GovInfo) · March 2010 · Legislative recordPublic Law 111-148, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (opens in a new tab)U.S. Government Publishing Office (GovInfo) · March 23, 2010 · Legislative recordVoted yesU.S. House · March 21, 2010
On Motion to Concur in Senate Amendments
House roll call 165, 2010 (official record, opens in a new tab)SourceRoll Call 165: H.R. 3590, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, On Motion to Concur in Senate Amendments (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · March 21, 2010 · Legislative record
Steve Hilton
No legislative record
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