The one sentence comment characterizing other countries health systems is highly inaccurate. Most European systems are actually fairly pluralistic. UK is highly dependent on private care now, and the US is actually near the bottom in percentage of health care costs that are paid by the patient out of pocket–most industrialized countries actually have the patients paying more of the costs.

Being sick and poor always has been hard and always will be. The real problem we have here now is having “insurance” tied to employment. That is inhibiting freedom and economic mobility and creativity to an extent that we are numbed to.

The fact that tax credits don’t cover the full cost is not a problem–unless you believe that people are entitled to have someone else pay for their health care and financial security. I get no tax credit now and buy an individual policy.

But even if I chose not to do so, that is not a public crises, it is a personal decision that a free person is entitled to make for themselves. This constant cry that everyone be covered is just rent seeking by the medical industry.

Another thing: why do libs have such a static view of the world where the only changes arise from govt policies? Deregulating insurance (or any company for that matter) makes it possible for more firms to enter the market and for more competition. The more you regulate, the more costs you impose, and the more companies have to look for ways to cut costs to offset the increased regulations.

Our healthcare resources are limited! Someone has to determine when or if you receive care. Will it make you happier when the government tells you “no” than when an insurance company does?