U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal believes a single-payer health care system would provide coverage to every American for less money, and could be supported by modest new taxes based on patients' ability to pay. (Photo: KOMO News)

SEATTLE U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal wants to strip "profits" out of the health care equation, even as Republicans try to bring an end to the Affordable Care Act.

The congresswoman says America needs to hand over health care financing to a public agency, and stop helping insurance companies earn money off of people's illnesses.

I say that we keep up the fight and we continue to push to make sure that we save our health care, Jayapal told the cheering crowd gathered at Town Hall.

Republican leaders want to dismantle the ACA in favor of a new insurance system centered on tax credits. Jayapal said the problem with that plan is that it is still profit-driven.

There is some discussion going on about how we pivot to the idea of single payer system with no profit," the congresswoman said.

Jayapal believes a single-payer system would provide coverage to every American for less money, and could be supported by modest new taxes based on patients' ability to pay.

I don't think that we don't have enough money, Jayapal said. The issue is that we're not taxing the right people with the right rates."

In contrast, Republicans would offer a range of tax credits tied to age and income for people to buy insurance. Jayapal admits her version of "Medicare for all" has yet to go mainstream but said she is winning people over to the idea.

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Jayapal urges single-payer health care at town hall - KOMO News