Democrats hoping to capitalize on the failure of the Republican healthcare plan face a major roadblock: the debate over single payer.
"I know everyone wants to focus on, do you shift quickly to single payer or don't, but what I think we need to do as a party is recognize the issue that really drives the healthcare debate isn't particular system structures, but outcomes of affordability and access," Chris Jennings, healthcare adviser to Hillary Clinton's campaign last year and a Democratic healthcare consultant, told Axios.
"We are making a huge mistake if we don't say that there's more to be done or we suggest the Affordable Care Act is the end all be all, that it's addressed the public's concerns on healthcare. It certainly has not. I think the base of our party is right to assert that," he added.
A recent survey showed that one-third of Americans are for single payer healthcare, with half of Democrats in support.
"I'd be surprised if [single payer] wasn't in the next platform," Jim Manley, one-time aide to former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, told Axios.
Multiple Democrats have put forward healthcare proposals that range from universal Medicare to simple adjustments to the existing legislation.
Democratic strategist Jesse Ferguson told Axios' Caitlin Owens that the number of ideas is good for the party because it shows they are serious.
"It dispels the cynicism that voters gained watching Republicans oppose but never propose, because Democrats are making clear that we have a variety of substantive ideas for how to continue expanding coverage and lowering costs," he said.
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