California Could Curb Health-Care Cost Under Governor’s Proposal

California could become the first state to set targets to keep the cost of health care from skyrocketing under a proposal offered by the administration of Gov. Gain Newsom (D).

The blueprint released Monday would create an Office of Health Care Affordability. The office would set cost targets and collect data from health-care providers, with the possibility of penalties if physicians, hospitals, or other providers don’t meet the targets.

“Affordability in health care is a critical issue for Californians; it is one of the governor’s top priorities to address,” Alice Chen, deputy director for policy and planning for the California ...