Every state that receives federal medicaid money administers their own state run health insurance

The program is partially funded and primarily managed by state governments, which also have wide latitude in determining eligibility and benefits, but the federal government sets baseline standards for state Medicaid programs and provides a significant portion of their funding. States are not required to participate in the program, although all have since 1982.

Yup, like generaldingus said, it’s largely an economic barrier. There aren’t many states that could pull it off properly.

It’s definitely possible though, but you’d have to break through so many barriers to get any current legislative body to make it happen, that it won’t.

Money politicians want to spend on things their constituents want spent on better things.

Part of the problem is Medicare is already taxing for healthcare. A state creating their own system would have to tax on top of that, and duplicate the administration of it.

It’s kind of like states trying to stop using daylight savings on their own. Technically they can, but only after getting all of congress and the president to agree.

Vermont tried for a version of universal healthcare about 10 years ago, and they decided the cost was too high.

Every state has a program for poor people that’s in part funded by Federal tax dollars.

You also have to address the free rider problem by vesting benefits in.