"The problem I've seen is that no one has articulated why we should have an unbridled, FREE, universal healthcare coverage system for every person walking these lands."

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Y'know, I've been studying this issue in some detail for about 15 years (link in my name), and somehow I missed the part about legislatively proposing that it be "unbridled" and "free."

That's lightweight bumper-sticker / rally placard talk. You're smarter than to fall for that.

are, in the aggregate, the Black Knight at the stream crossing in Mothy Python's "Holy Grail."

That Teutonic Screech Woman was particularly entertaining.

"When I'm talking about "free", I'm talking about the normative notion that EVERY American is entitled to healthcare coverage, regardless of ability to pay."

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ANY "right" is the result of a political decision. Let me rephrase your question:

When I'm talking about "free", I'm talking about the normative notion that EVERY American is entitled to military defense, regardless of ability to pay...

When I'm talking about "free", I'm talking about the normative notion that EVERY American is entitled to police protection, regardless of ability to pay...

When I'm talking about "free", I'm talking about the normative notion that EVERY American is entitled to fire department services, regardless of ability to pay...

When I'm talking about "free", I'm talking about the normative notion that EVERY American is entitled to safe water, regardless of ability to pay.

And so on. None of those things are "free," but your level of protection is not an explicit function of your tax bracket.

W/respect to the "unbridled" problem. Read the 1994 Elhauge paper, from which I quoted extensively. I am fully aware of the difficulties. But I see rampant "Perfectionism Fallacy" everywhere I look on this issue. Bumper Sticker shit.

With respect to national health care, we can decide (or not) that the utilitarian and moral benefits of a more comprehensive and unified system trump -- net -- the unfettered needs of the for-profit sector.

BTW, my citing of the "trifecta win-win-win" was largely citing the position of Physicians for Single Payer. My relative dubiety on that assertion ought to be evident.

Right, like this issue JUST NOW surfaced and simply MUST be addressed without delay to the satisfaction of these people. The very survival of the nation hangs in the balance.

They will NEVER be satisfied, Mike. Forensically dispositive evidence (already available, btw) will simply have them wailing about just how slick the terrifying coverup truly is.

Morons. And/or mentally ill.

Spare me, dude.

"Ask someone to pay $80 for cable, no problem, but $30 copay for an outpatient visit and all hell has broken loose. But this type of reform is needed if we ever hope to restrain costs."

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Nice analogy, to a point. But, so, should I have an annual deductible and co-pays for police and fire protection? Those are finite, expensive to maintain resources as well (as is a military establishment). Maybe if I had "some skin in the game" I'd think twice before dialing 911.

Your beef with me seems to assume that I advocate simply extending universal coverage to everyone without any thought whatsoever to cost controls or any treatment limits. Show me where I wrote or implied that.

Moreover, it is simplistic to argue that the prevailing private market health insurance model is one of "all billed charges accepted" for those with coverage. Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, there are in fact perverse incentives within a fee-for-service paradigm, but there are also in fact myriad countervailing constraints. It's just that they are not systematic.

Finally, as one who has worked as an analyst within the Medicare QIO system, I am quite aware of the clinically and financially enervating impacts of chronic lifestyle-complicit morbidities. People like Elhauge and Dr. Brent James were sounding these alarms long ago.

Best regards,

BG

I AM BobbyG, and I simply find this whole thing utterly STUPID. The only people obsessing over "satisfactory" answers are either mentally ill, or STUPID.

But, again, the Teutonic Screech Lady in the clip was entertaining.

merely confirms the extent of the malignant conspiracy, as a direct exponential function of its forensic irrefutability.

I'm sure there's a DSM-IV code for this phenomenon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eMkth8FWno

Doc, please come to my blog and comment. Link in my name. You make many good points.

There is a direct linear correlation with an R-Square approaching 1.0 between the increasingly dispositive forensic evidence documenting BaraBlack Hussein OsamaBama's U.S. birth and the firm and ever-congealing livid nutcase conclusion that such simply serves as irrefutable proof of the horrifying ironclad slickness of the conspiracy.

Unfortunately, even the ignorant, the hopelessly stupid, and the moronically paranoid and otherwise mentally ill have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Just don't grant them concealed weapons permits.

if you mouth off to any of our Metro cops, you will come away lucky if them don't shoot and kill you. Irrespective of your race. I've lived here for 17 years now. Metro continues to bat 1,000 at the frequent post-shooting inquests (most of them involving unarmed "suspects."

I agree that Obama's comment was ill-advised. A serious gaffe that obliterated his health care pitch.

"When the facts come out..."

Does anyone honestly believe that there are any "facts" that have yet to be released that would settle this dispute?

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LOL. Just like the OsamaBama birth certificate thingy.