Meh, this aspect of it is a bit overblown.
The biggest issue is the political ramifications of a single payer system. Single payer would require a tax increase (and Americans hate higher taxes, even though they would see lower premiums.....) and single payer would require an overhaul of the entire system which could lead to people getting kicked off their current plans and most Americans get their healthcare through their employer and actually like their plans (granted, they don't like the premium).
Once you get into the details of single payer, it is hard plan to sell to the public.
Single payer could cover the vast majority of healthcare costs, with only a few exceptions.
How is it overblown that the Republicans are paid for by the pharmaceutical companies?
Single payer couldn't even pass in Vermont, it will never happen nationally here. The big issue with healthcare reform is that no one wants to pay for it, once people realize they have to pay higher taxes, the plan loses support.
Best case scenario is that we get some sort of public option, but a true single payer system just isn't going to happen unless Americans's attitudes change.
Polling evidence shows that single payer is very popular in the US. As for 'having to pay for it' who on earth do US voters think pays for the US's notoriously overinflated medical and pharmaceutical costs right now?
