Pendleton physician Frank Erickson talks to a small group about the benefits of a single-payer healthcare system on Thursday at the Pendleton Center For the Arts.

If one state provides universal health care coverage, Dr. Frank Erickson said the rest would follow like falling dominoes. The benefits of such a system, the Pendleton radiologist said, would entice businesses and health care professionals to move there.

Sporting a gray lab coat, Erickson exclaimed the values of a single-payer system to 31 people Thursday night at the Pendleton Center for the Arts. He has joined the Corvallis-based group Mad as Hell Doctors, which has the goal of spreading the single payer message to the people.

While most of the crowd didnt seem mad as hell about health care, some were irritated and agitating for change. Especially after Erickson showed the documentary, Health, Money and Fear, which explores the multiple reasons U.S. health care is so expensive and follows the Mad as Hell Doctors in 2009 on their 6,000 mile road trek from Portland to Washington, D.C.

Along the way, the group stopped at 40 venues in 22 states to talk about universal health coverage. They told stories about the problems in the U.S. health care system, and how moving to single payer would cut costs, create efficiencies and save lives.

A few people asked for copies of the movie. One man quipped that showing the movie would be all the convincing most people would need to push for a new structure to health care.

Erickson who is so mild speaking he had to turn up the volume on his mic recalled how he had testified in March at the state Capitol for House Bill 3510, which would have created a true single-payer system. That bill, as well as a Senate version, died in committee. Erickson said lawmakers from Pendleton told him the proposals would have no chance this session.

So, he said, the Mad as Hell Doctors are aiming for next years Legislature.

But at least one person wanted change much sooner.

Local musician Loree McKenna said the only way to make a single payer system would be to refer it to the people and get it on a ballot.

Others nodded, and Erickson said that may well be true.

After the meeting, McKenna spoke about how serious she was about pushing for change. She said shed even go door-to-door to get signatures.

Erickson and other Mad as Hell Doctors will start an Eastern Oregon tour Monday in Pendleton. The group will hold forth and even sing at a free event 6:30-8 p.m. at the Community Room at city hall, 500 S.W. Emigrant Ave.