Is this why Obama never entertained a single-payer system?

[Writer]

http://www.denverpost.com/technology/ci_14007824

I personally would love to have a single-payer system, but I have a feeling that it would not only be a logistical nightmare to implement, but that it would be a political non-starter.

What do you think?

[Laelth]

1. I think single-payer will have to be enacted state-by-state.

The current system is unsustainable, and everyone knows it. Change will come, eventually, UNLESS we pass the disastrous bill that's currently on the table.

California will probably pass single-payer on its own in 2011. All they need is a Democratic Governor. The legislature has already passed the bill. Schwarzenegger vetoed it. Once California has single-payer, most (if not all) states will follow suit.

It's likely that if we pass a new law now, the new law will preempt single-payer, i.e. the Federal law will preempt state law and prevent states from enacting a single-payer system.

THIS is what the health insurance companies fear. THIS is what brought them to the bargaining table. THIS is why they are not fighting Obama's tepid reforms, and THIS is why it is extremely important that we do not pass any health insurance reform bill this year.

Let's not settle for a bail-out of the health insurance industry. Let's insist on the eradication of it. In all likelihood, California will lead the way in 2011 ... if we can just give them time.

Canada got its single-payer system one province at a time. That seems to be the way it will have to happen in the U.S.

:dem:

-Laelth

[Cleita]

2. I don't think it would be a logistic nightmare to implement.

The bureaucracy, Medicare, is already in place and has been operating efficiently and cost effectively for forty years. So there is little extra to implement other than adding the uninsured on to the rolls. Also LBJ had Medicare up and operating within a year and he was starting from scratch. Yet, I remember my father going on it at the time and it running smoothly for him until the day he died.

As far as the political non-starter, as long as our politicians are being bribed by the private health care industry, I guess I have to agree with you. Our present politicians with a few exceptions just won't go there.

[VMI Dem]

3. I think you're full of it.

[valerief]

4. He wanted one in 2007. nt

[phleshdef]

5. I get the sense that he is for it in theory but realizes that making it happen now is impossible.

[Clio the Leo]

6. lol, well, not exactly......

.... Bernie's amendment was never expected to go through (now.)

But he would have never made it this far with single payer ...... otherwise the progressives in Congress wouldn't have gotten on board with what they did.

[polichick]

7. No - he didn't want one because the CBO scoring would look too good...

...and the insurance cos would be out in the cold.