For Democrats, single payer has always been the end game, but I don’t think they intended to get there through the abysmal failure of Obamacare. I think they envisioned that people would love Obamacare SO much that they’d clamor for more and more government control over the health care system. They envisioned that Obamacare would run like a well oiled machine and everything would be unicorns and skittles.
Instead, it has been a disaster of huge proportions. People are jaded and want no more of this.
I don’t see any scenario in the near future where single payer would be supported by the public and/or or passed in Congress.
Instead, I see a slow unraveling. Insurers can’t shoulder the massive losses they’re incurring by being part of the exchanges, so they will pull out. Risk corridor payments will only be made through 2016 and even so, they are pennies on the dollar of the losses insurers are incurring.
When the vehicle for obtaining insurance which is heavily subsidized by taxpayers doesn’t exist, Obamacare doesn’t exist. Medicaid will still be in place, but people who make too much to qualify for Medicaid will not have a means to obtain subsidized insurance though exchanges.