Bill Nelson not on board with Bernie Sanders' single-payer idea

WEDNESDAY - Sen. Bernie Sanders on Wednesday will introduce his single-payer health care bill and he’s collected a number of Democratic co-sponsors, some with 2020 presidential buzz.

But it’s highly unlikely Sanders will win over Florida’s Bill Nelson, who is up for re-election next year. Nelson has danced around so-called Medicare for All.

“The long and short of it is, I’ve had enough trouble trying to save Obamacare,” the senator told the Tampa Bay Times in August. “So that’s way on down the road. Let’s get through this first.”

Nelson has already faced GOP attacks about the single-payer system, which has gained support among the Democratic base. But Nelson sees an advantage in the GOP failure to upend the Affordable Care Act.

“I don’t think their position is going to be very ascendant in next year’s election. Exactly the opposite,” he said of repeal and replace attempts. “I think those of us who stood up for it, and hopefully now can economically strengthen it so that it does work like it was intended. I think that is going to be the preferred position going into the election.”

Either way, health care should feature prominently in Nelson’s campaign with probable opponent Rick Scott.