"We as Democrats have to be honest enough to acknowledge that coverage does not automatically mean adequate or timely care," said Democratic strategist Garry South, a longtime Newsom ally.

The death of single-payer in the nation's most populous state deals a major blow to similar campaigns elsewhere in the nation.

Together, the unions have made hundreds of thousands of dollars in political contributions, funded anti-recall ads and phone-banked to defend Newsom.

Gov. Newsom gave the insurer a $15 million, no-bid contract to run vaccination efforts. State and local lawmakers are calling it a waste of taxpayer money.

The single-payer bill adds to his political peril from the left if he doesn't express support, and from the right if he does.

Here's a look at some of the major health measures Gov. Newsom signed into law this year.

The state legislature has approved a measure that would direct the state's health agency to partner with drug companies on a broad range of generics.