Metrics are usually designed for a predetermined result. And to date, this nation's avenue towards single payer would essentially be the nationalization of existing providers.
As I suggested to allie, investigate the street realities, especially the tax burden contrasted with actual and timely medical intervention and another picture starts to develop. 
Not that I'm adamantly opposed to governmental involvement, but without some serious reflection on our current state of defense spending, it's not a feasible idea.
Often the VA is used both positively and negatively as a reference to the potential "what if's", but equally as often without consideration of the hidden private sector subsidization. 
To me, it's reasonably simple. Either take care of our populace or continue to carry the world's biggest stick. 

Or so says the Libertarian side of my perceptions...