Consumer Federation of California

A bill that would create a massive government-run health care system in California passed the Senate appropriations committee Thursday after a partisan vote of 6-2 and is now on the Senate floor.

Committee Democrats approved it while Republicans voted against it.

Senate Bill 810 proposes a new commission that would set premium rates that would be paid by all employers, and would examine benefits, co-payments and deductibles to balance the program’s budget.

Supporters, such as the Consumer Federation of California, say the proposal will reduce health care costs for families.

Opponents note that California voters have rejected government-run health care proposals in the past and believe the system would be too burdensome on the state’s employers. They also say it unnecessarily overlaps federal health care reform.