"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 measure of spending on health care drops from last year and there is plenty of room for growth in Optum Health.

Democratic senators on Wednesday took a formal step toward reviving President Joe Biden's economic agenda, starting with a measure to let Medicare negotiate prices with drugmakers and to curb rising drug costs more broadly.

If you want to reduce the cost of insulin, then do it. If you just want to spread the cost of insulin across more people, admit it.