A tale of three state-led healthcare plans. As long as medical costs are allowed no ceiling—e.g., $800 for a hospital ibuprofen— these plans will not work.
Single-Payer Health Care: A Tale of 3 States
What do Vermont, the bluest of blue states, Colorado, a purple-trending blue state, and Massachusetts, home of an all-blue congressional delegation, have in common? They’ve all failed at pursuing single-payer. States are the laboratories of democracy. Yet, single-payer initiatives have consistently failed. These experiments demonstrate the challenges that single-payer faces—ranging from high costs to opposition from core progressive constituencies. This report examines the single-payer experience in each of the three states. It also looks at what rose from the ashes after the efforts failed and what policymakers can learn. Â
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