The Bernie Bros and sisters are coming to Republicans' rescue

[Jim Lane]

51. You're trying to dodge the basic point.

There is division among Democrats as to the merits of this bill. You're free to criticize it all you want. That doesn't change the fact that a majority of the House Democrats disagree with you. Is it your view that those 117 Democrats are sowing division and helping the Republicans?

The specifics of this bill are less important. It's obvious that it won't be enacted in this Congress. The cosponsors are saying, in general terms, that they will sign on to tax increases (described in the "Funding" section) to pay for it, or at least some of it. Actual enactment of single payer will require some combination of tax rate increases, increases in tax revenues resulting from better health, shifts of funding from other health programs (such as Medicaid, which will be obviated), recapture of private-sector expenses that are obviated, cuts in some non-health programs (notably the military), and deficit financing. When there's a majority for single payer, those details will be worked out through the normal political process.