Like so many in our state, I was deeply disappointed by Speaker Rendon’s decision to squash California’s single-payer health care bill on Friday. Our health system — here in California and across the nation — is fundamentally broken. It’s an unpleasant fact that people in our state are dying prematurely because they lack access to affordable insurance and care.

Right now, three million Californians lack health insurance. Millions more will be in danger if President Trump and Republicans repeal the Affordable Care Act. Single payer is the only path forward to universal coverage. Economists say this bill will save us tens of billions of dollars in health costs each year. With so much to gain, it’s easy to see why more than 65% of California supports single payer.

If Speaker Rendon continues to block this bill, he is denying the will of the people in our state. Let’s demand that Speaker Rendon reconsider his decision. This bill must be allowed to pass through committee.