Mass. Gov. hopeful: Consider “single payer” care

From the AP –

Democratic candidate for governor Donald Berwick is pushing Massachusetts to take a second look at creating a truly universal health care system.

The former top Obama administration health care official said Thursday that the state should “seriously explore the possibility of a single payer system in Massachusetts” – a system which would effectively guarantee health coverage for all residents.

Massachusetts currently has the highest percentage of insured residents, but the system relies on a patchwork of private and subsidized care and falls short of universal coverage.

Many liberal Democrats have long said the best way to fix the health care system is to essentially offer Medicare to everyone, arguing that it would provide more coverage and is less cumbersome.

Berwick formerly headed the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.