Single-Payer Is Becoming Litmus Test For Democrats, But Reality Is Far More Complicated Than Rhetoric
California's gubernatorial race is acting as a microcosm of the larger push toward universal health care. But, experts say the issue is complicated. “Voters are thinking about the fundamental values associated with single-payer,” said Kelly Hall, an independent health consultant. “Almost zero voters have thought about the policy implications.” Those implications range from funding challenges to a vocal opposition to unanswered legal questions.
The New York Times:
Single-Payer Health Care In California: Here’s What It Would Take
If wholesale opposition to President Trump is one litmus test for progressive Democrats, another — as the governor’s race in California is proving — is health care. All the leading Democratic contenders in the June 5 primary have pledged support for a single-payer system run by the state. The front-runner, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, the former mayor of San Francisco, has made it the centerpiece of his campaign. “There’s no reason to wait around on universal health care and single-payer in California,” he has declared. (Cohen and Abelson, 5/25)