It wasn’t too long ago that Obamacare vs. Repeal and Replace were the only major political conversations surrounding healthcare. But a growing dissatisfaction across the country with healthcare delivery, insurance companies and drug prices has forced elected leaders and candidates to take Medicare for All proposals seriously.
In California, the single-payer proposal, SB 562, which would cover all Californians, has become a lightening rod in election season, with the two leading candidates for governor dueling over its merits. The bill is now stalled in the state Assembly. Critics cite cost, but proponents say that market reforms and redirecting money already spent would reduce the overall cost drastically.
On the federal level, the Center for American Progress (CAP) released a plan that is closer to single-payer, though it still allows for employer-based insurance. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, told The Hill that the CAP plan was a step in the right direction, but it needs to go further.
“I believe in a Medicare for all, single-payer, but to the degree that people are talking about guaranteeing health care to all people, it’s a step,” Sanders said.
The reason why more politicians, especially Democrats, are concentrating on the healthcare system is because, despite the Affordable Care Act, a near majority of voters want them to.
In a poll, Vox asked Democratic likely voters: “If there’s a Democratic president and the Democratic Party controls Congress 
in 2021, which of the following issues would you most like to see the president and Congress address?” 45 percent said healthcare should be the top priority.
Including all likely voters surveyed for that question, regardless of party affiliation, healthcare was still considered the number one priority at 31 percent.
In addition, previous surveys showed a growing share of voters, and a majority of Democrats, support “single payer.” In a Politico/Morning Consult poll:
“Nearly half of voters, 49 percent, say they support “a single-payer health care system, where all Americans would get their health insurance from one government plan” — greater than the 35 percent who oppose such a plan. Seventeen percent of voters have no opinion. Two-thirds of Democratic voters support single-payer, while 18 percent oppose it.”
The momentum first begun by passing the Affordable Care Act is gaining forward steam, rather than many accepting the status quo or moving backwards. The big question is if there is the political will and strength to take on fundamental market reform.
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HEAL California is an independent news and information hub focused on the California Medicare for All movement. We feature non-partisan news, views, podcasts and videos that highlight the continuing failures of our broken healthcare system and elevate the voices of advocates and organizations fighting for change.
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