Supporters of a bill in the state Senate that would launch a statewide, single-payer healthcare system gathered at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue on April 9 to urge its passage.

The bill, the Healthy California Act (SB562), was introduced by Sens. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) on Feb. 17.

If passed, all California residents would receive medical benefits and services that “would incorporate the health care benefits and standards of other existing federal and state provisions,” such as the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program and Medi-Cal.

“Healthy California gives everyone insurance, because everyone has a right to health care,” Lara said in a statement. “Trump and the Republicans don’t get to pick the health care winners and losers, and we’ll never get to 100 percent health care in California unless we lead.”

“Access to affordable and quality health care is not only critical, it should be a right for everyone in California,” Atkins said in a statement. “In light of threats to the Affordable Care Act, it’s important that we look at all options to maintain and expand access to health care. The Healthy California Act is an essential part of that conversation.”

Since its introduction, the bill has been to the committee on rules, amended and re-referred to the committee on rules, followed by the committee on health.