Single-payer is coming

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The turnaround is remarkable. Just last year, the Democratic nominee for president refused to endorse a “Medicare for All” proposal. Now, left-leaning presidential hopefuls are flocking to a version proposed by a man who isn’t even, technically speaking, a Democrat.

American / Unionist

By Aristophanes

On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, introduced a new bill for single-payer health care, a proposal he defends in The New York Times. 

Single-payer systems are so named because they provide universal health coverage with one entity, usually the national government, footing the bill. Many countries, including our northern neighbor, Canada, offer such programs, often paid with increased taxation. Multiple European nations operate hybrid models, which incorporate similar socialist elements.

Until now, the United States has resisted such measures. However, one of our country’s major political parties is on the brink of full commitment.

Several prominent Democratic figureheads have already promised their support for Sanders’ plan. The list includes a few household names:

Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey
Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York
Sen. Kamala Harris of California
Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon

The turnaround is…

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