>You might want to actually read the bill before you make that statement. Unless something has changed, it is still being presented as providing medical insurance for the majority of Americans (which is what the systems in your "advanced" countries do), but in fact it is requiring Americans to purchase insurance if their employers don't provide it. That is not in any way shape or form similar to European or Canadian systems.

ehhh. its quite simular to the dutch system. I've got to arrange and pay for my insurance as well.

>If you do not purchase health insurance, then you will be fined up to 2.5% of your gross pay. Even given that serious problem, the part that really concerns me most is the Medicare cuts. On top of that, while everyone is forced to now purchase health insurance and the insurance companies cannot drop anyone or refuse coverage

Same up here

>, there is no enforcement of reasonable rates but rather taxes and fines on the good coverage policies or the so-called 'maserati' policies.

Most rates (i'd assume a provider can charge the insurance company) are enforced up here, but not all.

>>The assumption is that the market (more insurees paying into it and more competition) will control the premiums. So not only are you required to purchase health insurance, everyone will have a mediocre policy and there is no limit to what it will cost. Hopefully it will also include a reasonable cap on the premium rates.

Hmmm, sounds like our system as well.

There surely still are things left to be done, but from my perspective this is a huge step forward for all americans.