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Yep...and as was noted, "some" of these people who complain about not having health insurance do have a choice. They can get rid of the cell phone, the walkman, the cable and the $150 dollar sneakers. While times may be tough for some people, many people don't know what tought times, are. We have become such an over-indulgent society, that too many people look at their luxuries as neccessities...and choose not to protect themselves. The "M.E." virus has obviously spread from the '60s to the new century...with no cure in sight.

I think most would argue we have the best quality of care available anywhere. But that isn't to say the the costs aren't completely out of whack. They are.

I am a 36 year old pretty healthy person. I never go to the doctor unless there is something ~very~ wrong. And my individual policy costs $225 a month. That's just for me. No kids. Before having this job where I paid it myself, I was completely unaware of the cost, it was invisible, paid by employer. ~AND~ the infuriating thing is, I have a $500 annual deductible with that premium. So I have paid full out of pocket for every visit I have ever made. So $3000 per year, and I am not covered to go to the doctor. So my medical coverage is much less a daily need for me, and far more than my $20/month cell phone. It shouldn't be about failing to live so I can afford health insurance. Lots of money for the long shot possibility that I ~might~ have a really serious illness or accident one of these months. So far it is money down the drain, and pretty hard to justify on my salary. So far I'd have been much better off with a medical savings account.

All this means is... for relatively healthy people who just need contingency emergency coverage, we can go broke being covered and still not be covered. The system is broken and needs fixing. I don't know what the right answer is, but I would start with tort reform until we can breed a generation that isn't so enamoured with lawsuits.

The system is broke...but part of the reason why is because of government and trial attorneys. Lawsuits and insurance liability premiums are rasing the costs on everything in the healthcare system. I forgot what the exact cost was, but for a pharmacuetical company to bring a new drug to market, it was something like $356 million in FDA and government costs. With the new regulations and costs that went into affect in the 90's, many nursing homes and teaching hosptals closed because they couldn't cope with the new regulations. The fact is, the democrats are using the power of government legislation (and lawyers) to impede the effectiveness of healthcare in this country so people get so pissed off they demand a change.