>>
>>>4. Free universal health care
>>4.1 TANSTAAFL - but if everybody pays a bit, it can be much cheaper than the current rigmarole of paying for combined bureaucracies of insurers, pharmaceuticals, and retail (pharmacies and doctors) shuffling paperwork through the labyrinthine network of contracts.
>>
>
>TANSTAAFL on the one hand - but where do you draw the line on self inflicted health care cost: should the costs of
>obesity
>smoking
>heroin addiction
>
>shouldered by all to the same extent ?
>There are people running up total medical cost for each simple cold they have, get fat sucked of, get their noses fixed as it could create psychologial problems - whereas others only go if the bone is clearly broken or without some stitches too many shirts and ties will get bloody. Perhaps a mandatory insurance only covering all cost above 10000$ per year (or a higher amount if there is secured amount of funds) would help making people feel responsible for their own health.
>

Any legislation aimed at forcing people to do things "for their own good," especially if it involves them paying money, faces an uphill battle in this country. This is definitely going to be an issue if the Democrats are elected in November and try to implement a national health plan.