the republicans, meaning those in power, already do understand. they don't care. it is not to their advantage to have everyone strong and healthy. strong, healthy people can afford to pay attention to the corruption around them and try to stop it. sick, hungry people don't always have the energy or means to do anything about that. when romney was running for president, his wife said something about "the nail lady." to people like that, we're all "the nail lady." we shouldn't even exist except to do mrs. romney's nails. otherwise we don't count at all.

the republicans, meaning those who vote in the republicans in power, can't be taught this. they're brainwashed by the republicans they've voted into power. i am speaking as if the republicans actually GOT voted into power; gerrymandering and other voter suppression has caused them to gain power that they were not actually granted willingly.

g

America is the only developed nation where the life expectancy is decreasing yet health expenditures more than tripled everyone else’s. Its a trend that obviously can’t continue but they won’t acknowledge that.

They don't care. all conservatives are violently against making sure all are insured. Even if it's cheaper,in their eyes, it's socialism. America is about letting the poor die if they don't have money for treatment.

They are bought and paid for. In the Nixon years a man came to Dick with a proposal that some health insurance companies wanted to make some money. I think this is covered in an older Michael Moore film. The GOP has taken this money ever since as a lobbying "gift." The only way they will understand is to vote them out.

You need to Vote them out!!!
They "understand" perfectly, that those under the table big $$$$ from Big Pharma would dry up with a reasonable system!

well first vote them out if possible, but the biggest problem and one that we are going to have a very hard time to eliminate is that big business truly does run this country now and it is very wrong, when a corporation has final word over a citizen we have truly arrived at George Orwell's 1984.

I think they do understand. Motivations are usually not what's in the best interest of the American people, or even America in general, but for profits.

If by "we", you include me, I don't want what you want.

The only way we can do this single payer system is to retake Congress both house and senate. They will oppose anything unless we have control to pass this without a single republican voting for it.