Democrats' health care plan advances

The Senate Health Committee approved Assembly Bill 8, which would require employers to devote 7.5 percent of payroll to health care or contribute to a state-run insurance plan. The concept has drawn sharp criticism from businesses and general support from consumers and labor, though nearly every group wanted amendments of varying degrees Wednesday.

Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, the bill's author, and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata back AB 8 as a joint Democratic solution to the state's rising health care costs and growing number of uninsured. Their plan would provide health care to an additional 3.4 million Californians.

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