Single-payer health insurance -- the only coverage option less popular among conservatives than Obamacare -- suffered a setback last week, and it could be fatal. Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin admitted the state cant afford Green Mountain Care and shelved it.

I have always made clear that I would ask the state to move forward with public financing only when we are ready and when we can be sure that it will promote prosperity for hard-working Vermonters and businesses, and create job growth, Shumlin said in a press releaseWednesday. Pushing for single-payer health care when the time isnt right ... could set back for years all of our hard work toward the important goal of universal, publicly financed health care for all.

Launching Green Mountain Care, which was likened to Medicare for all, would have required a double-digit percentage payroll tax on businesses and as much as a 9.5 percent assessment on individuals incomes to pay the premiums.

These are simply not tax rates that I can responsibly support or urge the Legislature to pass, the governor said. In my judgment, the potential economic disruption and risks would be too great to small businesses, working families and the states economy.

Shumlin had made a single-payer health-care system a cornerstone of his re-election campaign as a way to provide affordable coverage and unburden businesses. He blamed the decision to shelve the program on an inability to contain costs.

Reaction to Shumlins decision was swift. Betsy Bishop, head of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, said her group will go further, pushing to overturn state mandates requiring businesses to buy coverage on the states health-insurance exchange, the Vermont Press Bureau reported. She said businesses were relieved by Shumlins decision.

Our members were concerned that single-payer could have added significant costs of doing business, forcing them to make negative employment decisions, she said.

More than 50 people participated in a Vermont Workers Center rally Thursday on the Statehouse steps, burning health-care bills and collection-agency notices, the Vermont Press Bureau said. One of the demonstrators set fire to a sign reading, Now is not the time.

Time and again, Im forced to choose whether to meet my medical needs or pay other bills, the Associated Press quoted Randolph resident Stauch Blaise as saying. Just last week, I had to forgo care for my foot because of my deductible and co-pays. Governor Shumlin has burned all of us by bailing on universal health care, and now its time for the Legislature to assume leadership and follow through.

Supporters of the Healthcare Is a Human Right Campaign demonstrated Shumlins career is toast by delivering a platter of toast.

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Single-Payer Health Care System Suffers Setback In Vermont; Governor Says Funding Is Just Not There