I give Pelosi more benefit of the doubt than most. She was once a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (as leader of the entire party, I understand she declines membership to any particular caucus). If you give her a Democratic Majority with about 240 votes or so, I have no doubt she could get single-payer passed in the House. Without Pelosi, we wouldn't even have Obamacare on which to build upon. Once she does retire (personally, I think she wants to retire on a high note and also have an obvious like-minded successor ready), we need to revamp the entire leadership.
If Schumer really is on board and possibly ready to vote for single-payer, it could actually happen if Democrats get strong enough majorities in each House with a Democratic President.
The first three are absolute necessities, the last two fall to destroy an entire industry. Single Payer completely abolishes private insurance (destroying an entire industry, and thus millions of jobs), rations care, and is far from the only way to provide health care to the nation. It makes sense that it should be viewed on a different level than things like roads and the fire station, and it must be avoided at all costs.
It's not the only the way to achieve the means of a universal right to healthcare, but it does seem to be one of the best. As for the jobs lost, I'm not unsympathetic at all. I think those that are displaced should have first chance at the new jobs under the new universal program. If it's federally run, the federal government will have to hire many new people to implement and administer the new program. For those that cannot get employment under the new system, I think the federal government should provide for immediate assistance and job retraining (and regardless of any of that, the new single-payer program would cover their health costs no matter what).
