They totally could but for some reason no state does... Instead, I only see senators, representatives, and potential presidential candidates trying to force it upon the entire country. We are the united states, let individual states start the process and let it bubble up to the federal level once enough states enable it just like we are doing with marijuana laws.
IMO, the federal government has been getting too large just like how they dangle interstate highway funds from states for enforcing the stupid 21 year old drinking age.
> They totally could but for some reason no state does
No state alone can, because it would have (or at least would fear) a large influx of people coming for the free healthcare. If enough states set up their own systems and make them interoperable, it might have some legs. I hear rumblings of this from time to time,
What I meant was a federally-mandated, state-implemented system. Federal law can define a minimum level of healthcare that every state is obligated to provide. States set up and administer their own systems, any way they want - single-payer, mandatory private insurance etc. Isn't that how Canada actually does it?
It handles the "US is too big" objection to universal healthcare that everyone loves to bring up, by moving the systems to a lower level.
IMO, the federal government has been getting too large just like how they dangle interstate highway funds from states for enforcing the stupid 21 year old drinking age.