California's proposal to mandate health insurance covrage for all demonstrates that with Congress stalled on enacting comprehensive health care reform, the states are beginning to take matters into their own hands. Schwarzenegger said, "If you can't afford it, the state will help you buy it, but you must be insured".

Karen Davis, president of the Commonwealth Fund, said, "This is a very significant proposal. It is not just children he is talking about. It is really dealing with the whole problem of the uninsured, with concrete positions to raise revenues to pay for that coverage and the philosophy of shared responsibility."

Diane Rowland, executive vice president of the Kaiser Family Foundation, said, "Health care for the uninsured is back on the agenda," adding, "The governors are trying to lead the way, but it's also going to take national action to try to address this problem"