"[T]here are steps policymakers could adopt in the nearer term that would allow many of the virtues of single-payer to be realized more quickly and that could serve as useful stepping stones to even more ambitious reform: [1] Extend already existing public plans and incorporate a 'public option' into ACA exchanges. [2] Adopt 'all-payer rates'--mandating that the same prices apply regardless of who is paying--to allow private insurers to benefit from the bargaining power of Medicare. [3] Pursue policies that would diminish the intellectual property rights monopolies of key health care sectors, like pharmaceutical companies. [4] Increase antitrust scrutiny of consolidation of hospitals and physician networks."

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