The reason is relatively simple: approximately half of the electorate and half of our political system is caught in a feedback loop opposing public health care. Lots of voters are convinced that public health care is a disaster. One of our two major parties wins votes by accommodating that. Further, that party ensures votes in the future by pushing misinformation which helps convince more voters.
Until and unless we can get people to examine the facts, this will continue.
58% of Americans support federally funded universal health care, including 40% of Republicans:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/191504/majority-support-idea-fed-...
Opposition comes from the wealthy, whose taxes would go up, and insurance company execs (and employees) since it keeps them in business.
Fascinating! I had no idea this was supported by so many Republicans. Thanks for sharing. If we repealed ACA and replaced it with single payer I'd be so happy...
"Lots of voters are convinced public health care is a disaster."
Maybe we could, I dunno, create a government run health care system to show everyone just how super-awesome healthcare can be when DC runs it. We need a demographic... hummm, how about retired military? We'll create a healthcare system for ex-military and their families, show everyone how well these things work, and then the public will be convinced that... oh, wait!
We could also look at the many examples from other countries. Too bad so many Americans are convinced we're somehow special and it can't be done for us.
I do not understand why the US can't join most of the western world in instituting single-payer public healthcare. It would be a huge boon for small business and startups, who would no longer have to factor in medical benefits into their compensation structure and whose owners would no longer have to risk being uninsured for an extended period when they start the business.
Moreover, it's the morally right thing to do. It's shameful that the world's premier economic superpower does such a poor job of looking after its most vulnerable citizens.