Centrist and moderate Democrats traditionally reluctant to consider a single-payer health care system are gradually shifting support to more progressive policies, according to a recent article in Fierce Healthcare.
Democrats have largely been on the defensive where health policies have been concerned in the wake of the Trump presidency and GOP-controlled Congress, but as midterm elections near “various corners of the party” are beginning to put forward alternatives to Republican policies, such as employer-offered Medicare-based insurance options and expanded Medicare eligibility. Still, Democrats have yet to throw full weight behind one solid plan. At least one advocacy group expects that to change, however, “when push comes to shove.”
The path to a single-payer system is far from smooth, though. The most conservative-leaning Democrats are not entirely sold on the idea — though all have expressed the need to at least look into the possibility. Further, even if the party picked up all the likely seats it could in coming elections, Democrats in red states still face a difficult task.
