Originally Posted by Rodney

There are other options: for example, a government-mandated system of private insurors. One big pool -- no exclusions -- with varying rates based on socioeconomic status. Insurers make money by maximizing efficiencies within the gov't-mandated set of outcomes and coverages (with certain subsidies available as necessary).

Apparently the Swiss -- hardly wild-eyed free-spenders -- run their system that way, and provide excellent healthcare to the entire population for ~11 percent of GNP. The population has choice between insurors, there is competition -- and even some public control of policy. I hear it's an expensive system; but it's in good shape and gives good service. And as a percentage of GNP, it's less than what the US spends on health care (15 percnet). Here's a report:

http://www.civitas.org.uk/pdf/Switzerland.pdf

My point: there's a point between private healthcare and public healthcare -- and that's private healthcare that does business under a set of national standards, regulations, and policies.