These people never took Economics and Calculus to figure out social programs benefits are not in number of people served or dollars spent in one economic, but the area under the outcome curves of both private and public spending.
Our lifetimes expanded by decades with simple health care. Or lifetimes expand slowly with expensive healthcare. Expensive goverment delivered healthcare might be useful for those over 60, they could be simple wellness projects for those not drug addicted under 60.
Simplest way to make poor people healthy, get them out of being poor with job training and making urban areas affordable.
I do agree with your premise, but for:
- Oregon has pushed industry, timber harvesting, and mining out of the State.
- many of the 'poor' do not want 40 hour-a-week jobs.
Finally, Portland baristas do not generate enough taxes to support universal health care.