John Forman’s column of April 2, “Single-payer plan only works if it includes all,” makes a lot of sense. Why wouldn’t a business owner want to offload health insurance to another entity that covers everyone, especially if it can be done more efficiently that way? That is how our national competitors handle health coverage, and it gives them an economic advantage. Those extra costs Mr. Forman understandably complains about have to be added to the price of our products. Not to mention the extractions from our own wallets.

Our employer-and-commercial-insurance-based system was established during World War II as an antidote to wartime wage controls. After 75 years and having been beaten by better health care systems abroad, it is time for a rethink.

How about if we cover everyone under one efficient system with strong negotiating power? It worked for public education, police protection and road construction. It will work for health needs, too.

Joel Clemmer

St. Paul