The three female Democratic candidates for governor all said they support single-payer health care during a Friday afternoon forum in Duluth, while their three male rivals were noncommittal. State Auditor Rebecca Otto made the strongest statement, saying she’ll release a plan for a universal health system that’s publicly financed. “It’s the right thing to do and it’s not impossible,” she says. Rochester Representative Tina Liebling and St. Paul Representative Erin Murphy both suggested ways to move toward single-payer health care in Minnesota. Minneapolis Representative Paul Thissen said, “I support Medicare for all as well” but didn’t offer details. St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and First District Congressman Tim Walz were noncommittal.
No Republican candidates were invited to the forum hosted by the AFSCME state employee union.
Here’s audio from the health care segment of the forum, courtesy of TheUptake. First answer is from Coleman, followed by Liebling, Murphy, Otto, Thissen and Walz: