SACRAMENTO - The Democratic comprehensive health care bill, Assembly Bill 1X1, authored by Speaker Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles), today cleared the Assembly Appropriations Committee by a party line vote.

“This bill is going to cure an illness California currently faces, with a health care system that is teetering on collapse,” Speaker Núñez said at the hearing. “And it is going to replace our failing health care system with one that provides dignity, hope, and respect for most Californians.”

AB 1X1 is the culmination of nearly a year of negotiations between legislative leaders, the Governor, and labor, business, health care, and consumer groups. It will be taken up by the full Assembly later today.

The Assembly floor discussion and vote will be broadcast on the California Channel’s website, http://www.calchannel.com. A press conference scheduled for 4:30 p.m. featuring the Speaker, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mayor Ron Dellums of Oakland, and dozens of representatives from labor, business, health care, and consumer groups will also be webcast.