Feasibility of a Single-Payer Health Plan Model for the State of Maine.

Reports on the estimates produced by an interactive policy microsimulation model developed to help study the feasibility of a single-payer plan that would cover all Maine citizens and guarantee savings of 5 percent relative to existing health care costs. Notes that such a system appears to be economically feasible for Maine. Although the system would increase total health care spending, the increase would decline over time as savings were realized through global budgeting, reduced administrative costs, and enhanced access to primary and preventive care. However, transition challenges require further planning.