>>>I think a good conservative capitalist arguement could be made that affordable and universal health insurance is in the best interests of the country. I might even call it a national security matter ( since that would probably get the votes it might otherwise lack ) How to structure it or make it possible may be up for debate, but what we are doing in the US is inefficient - basically using our ERs as primary care physicians for the uninsured. Just doesn't make sense. Canada and Britain may not have it perfect either, but I think the idea behind it makes a lot of sense.
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>>Most certainly, catastophic illness or injury should be automatically covered so that families are not financially ruined by an unfortunate incident.
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>>I got to thinking about financing health care in the states. Already your government spends more on your health care than ours does on us. That aside, if a dime or twenty cents was added to every transaction everyday (not item but transaction) it might come close to financing it. Last time I checked people under 65 in Canada pay $44.00 a month. Over 65 do not pay/no prescription costs more than $25.00/ambulance is free and equipment is supplied as needed.
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>>For the record neither my wife or I have had to wait in line for anything and that includes MRIs, XRays, ultra sound and surgery. Methinks someone down your way is fibbing a bit when they talk about our health care.
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>My brother became a Canadian citizen a couple of decaded ago and has, unfortunately, had several experiences with the health care system there. The unfortunate part relates to the need, not the care.
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>He has leukemia. Canadian health service paid for the tests to see which of the siblings would make the best bone marrow donors (fortunately that did not prove necessary). None of use are Canadians, but that apparantly didn't matter.
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>He's had other problems as well - all exacerbated by the leukemia. All cared for quickly and competently.
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>I don't know what the first digit would be, but I have a good guess as to how many zeros there would be if his total health care costs over the past 7 years would have been borne under American plans.
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>He still has his house, his job (13th grade Math teacher) was always there when he was finally ready to return to work, the cancer seems to still be in remission, and the rest of his bodily functions are approaching normal.
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>We have nothing but high regard for Canadian Health Care.

But in fairness, it is not like we don't have health insurance it is just that it is voluntary and expensive. Not in favor of the way it works - especially since for my wife and I it is somewhere around $10k a year and there is a $2k deductible. But catastrophic illness wouldn't wipe us out either. And I am self-employed. A lot of folks have very good health insurance through their job ( but it is often not portable and can be lost along with job so they'd have to switch to something like I have ) I consider myself lucky to be able to afford it. But a whole lot of people can't.

The problem here is all the people who don't have health insurance.