Paperwork consumes about 30 percent of health care spending in America — compared to just more than 2 percent in Taiwan, which enacted a national health plan in 1995, according to Marty. Health care would cost less in Minnesota, and new businesses would be drawn to the state.

Letts said sticking with the current system isn’t a realistic alternative in the long term.

“People can’t afford it,” he said. “Employers can’t afford it. That’s why we’re seeing a collapse. That’s why it’s going to fail.”

Beyond cost, there are health benefits that come with a publicly funded program that covers everybody and gets them necessary preventative care before their medical condition worsens.

“Less pain, suffering and death for people, that’s why we support it,” Letts said.

One woman in the audience recalled attending a similar meeting led by Paul Wellstone, who died six years ago last month.

While there’s been no obvious progress for a single-payer program in all those years, Marty said he’s not listening to those who say it’s politically unrealistic.

“Maybe we just need to redefine what’s politically realistic,” he said.

Details of the legislation are available at www.mnhealthplan.org.