A group of doctors from Puerto Rico were gathered in front of the White House last week.

They want President Obama to adopt a single payer health care system.

If not for the entire United States, then at least for Puerto Rico.

The Puerto Rico College of Physicians and Surgeons petitioned Obama to support a pilot program that would create a single-payer system administered by the government that would provide universal health coverage to all residents of Puerto Rico.

Dr. Eduardo Obarra Ortega told Single Payer Action last week that almost every doctor and legislator he speaks with supports single payer in principle.

“They say — yes I agree with you, it’s social justice, it’s very good, we believe in it,” Ortega said. “But when it comes to taking action, things change. There are very many interests involved so it’s kind of difficult. It’s the same as here. I’m sure if you ask person by person most of them would say — of course I believe in good health for every American. No one is going to say I don’t want health care for everyone but when it comes to doing it, it changes.”

The proposed single payer pilot program would end the island’s multi-tiered system, under which those who need the most coverage receive the least health care.

Puerto Rico has enough hospitals, clinics and private physicians to adequately care for its population if there a single-payer health program, Ibarra said.

Dr. Herbert Goldman, a practicing doctor in the U.S. Virgin Islands, also made the trip to support the Puerto Rican doctors. Dr. Goldman used to practice in Puerto Rico.

Goldman told Single Payer Action that he believes single payer is possible in the United States.

“Revolutions happen,” Dr. Goldman said. “And a revolution in health care may happen because things are going so badly.”

“The average doctor has more people doing billing than helping them take care of patients,” Dr. Goldman said. “Not all doctors are there to be businessmen. Some of us want to take care of patients. They say don’t rock the boat. But the system is so inefficient and it’s heading over a cliff.”