the US will continue to be the only industrialized nation without Universal Health Care
That's no longer true. As of last year the Netherlands no longer has Universal Health Care.
Based on the same argument US reps have used forever (market forces will make it cheaper and easier), they actually chose to switch to essentially the same HMO system we are using. This was in spite of protests by doctors and consumer advocates. And of course just having been implemented the costs are already rising. Whoops.
Oh but here is the kicker. In order to make sure no one would be uninsured they made it a crime NOT to buy private health insurance. So everyone (even the poor) are forced to pay into an HMO system. Some fatcats sure must be licking their chops on that one.
About the only redeeming feature is that no one can be denied a policy based on things like pre-existing conditions. And I believe they must be covered for at least life threatening aspects of such conditions.
Ironically, years ago I had to go to a doctor here and he actually kept me in his office making fun of the US system, and suggesting how backward we were. I suppose I should try and find him and get the last laugh.
holmes
"What a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away." (D.Bros)
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