All the three Democratic candidates of the state's 2nd Congressional District seat believes that the country require to implement some form of universal, single-payer health care system. But quite a few are not sure if Americans are ready to contribute to such a health program.

According to Physicians for a National Health Program, all Americans should have access to medical insurance including prescription drugs and primary, inpatient, outpatient and emergency care under the single-payer system. Researchers also estimate that the payroll tax of around 8 percent of the employers would be required to fund their initiative.

At a Daily Mail editorial board meeting this week, South Charleston Mayor Richie Robb strongly pushed for barebones, universal medical coverage for Americans as soon as possible. "I'm ready for it," said Robb, 60. "More and more people are ready than what we think. It's virtually universal in Western Europe."

Candidate Mark Hunt, a member of the state House of Delegates for eight years, supports this method, but said, "I'm not sure if the country's ready for that.”But considering recent estimates of an 8 percent tax to fund it, Hunt said, "I'd say the country pays more than that now."

Mike Callaghan, former state Democratic chairman and former federal prosecutor, supported the single-payer system, but would also modify it to include additional health care options for those who want to pay more.

"My plan is to combine a single-payer system that provides a basic form of health care for everyone in the country, and still allow insurance companies to come in and write policies to supplement that," said Callaghan, 43. "If someone who wants the Cadillac or Mercedes of health insurance, you can come in and purchase that through the Blue Cross/Blue Shields of the world."
No matter how the country's health care system is restructured, the three candidates agreed that the current arrangement is beyond repair.

Robb stressed that the current system does not advocate or provide enough preventive health care.