When we discussed federalism in my American government class, I would point out that one advantage of a federal system is that states can experiment. If one state adopted a policy that worked, other states would follow, and eventually the national government might adopt the policy as well. Right now we have Colorado experimenting with legal marijuana, and gay marriage is spreading as states discover it has no downside.
In an article entitled “The Obamacare We Deserve” in today’s Times, Michael Moore discussed another state experiment. Vermont is starting a single-payer system beginning in 2017. Moore points out that the Affordable Care Act is a pro-insurance law. He also notes that if Vermont’s plan works, other states will be following its example.
He points out that in Montana, the governor has set clinics to treat state workers with no co-pay and no deductibles. Doctors are salaried. He says that Cisco, Google, and Pepsi are doing the same thing for their employees.
Let a hundred flowers bloom.
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