One of the big trends in Democratic policy thinking since the 2016 elections has been the ever-increasing ranks of elected officials and advocates supporting single-payer health care. Indeed, in many parts of the country — most notably in the largest state, California — the main remaining question is whether single-payer should become a mandatory “litmus-test” enforced element of Democratic orthodoxy, like support for civil rights, Social Security, or reproductive rights.
The reasons for this gathering force behind single-payer are well-known. The Obamacare experience has shown that less sweeping health-care initiatives tend to be too complicated, too “compromised” in terms of the profit motive in health care, and too limited in appeal. Single-payer is simple, doesn't involve reliance on private health insurance, and includes every American. Particularly at a time when Democrats (at the national level and in a majority of states) don't have the power to enact any major health-care legislation anyway, why not go for the gold? The logic is compelling, if not air-tight.
