Supporters of a new plan to bring single-payer health care to Michigan rallied at the state Capitol Monday.
The legislative proposal promises to cut health care costs by twelve to twenty percent. The plan calls for paying Michigan’s health care bill with a mix of progressive income and business taxes, along with federal funds.
Eli Rubin is with the group Michigan for Single Payer Health Care. He admits the proposal faces long odds in the current Republican controlled legislature. That’s why he’s glad the plan is coming out before August’s Democratic primary.
“I’d say it’s first and foremost about August 7th," says Rubin. “Because it’s about first showing the Democratic party that candidates running to support this legislation can be nominated.”
Rubin believe Democrats who support single-payer health coverage can win in November’s general election, too.
Rubin concedes a federal government that’s “hostile” to a state-based single-payer plan could also be a problem. He expects it will take until 2020 to get single-payer health care in Michigan.
