You may find that the NHS will still send you friend a bill as he doesn't pay National Insurance here. But at least they will usually treat you first and ask questions later.

Our NHS has it's problems and people seem to think that a limited amount of money can be pulled in unlimited directions, but at least we have it.

But the really great news in your piece is that we can start looking forward to a new book form you!

for our congress critters. just give us the same fucking coverage as you get. or drop yours. simple, eh...

Shelter is as primary as health care: where's the free guaranteed housing for people who can't afford rent or purchase?

US emergency rooms will accept anyone with a broken leg for treatment.

And congressmen's health benefits are as unusual as any employers -- do people constantly argue everybody is entitled to the same? Why not a salary also for people who don't work?

Maybe you think "this guy's trying to be ironic, but ironically all those things should be free." I say, fine, but let's not pretend there's something magical about health care -- it's just something else you want for free if you can get it.

And what about treatment for illegal aliens -- will the new health plan let them wither away in the streets? Sorry for asking pesky questions, so much more fun to grandstand about HEALTH CARE FOR ALL (as demanded by people who assume "the rich" will be the ones paying higher taxes).

What does anyone have against English beer?

Gratefule Live, your arguments are illogical.

"Shelter is as primary as health care: where's the free guaranteed housing for people who can't afford rent or purchase?"

The housing industry in this country does not have the fundamental problems that exist in health care. The homeless amount to a fraction of a percent of the population while nearly 50 million Americans cannot afford health insurance.

"And congressmen's health benefits are as unusual as any employers -- do people constantly argue everybody is entitled to the same? Why not a salary also for people who don't work?"

This is a red herring argument. Congressmen's health benefits are provided by the government and are much more comprehensive and less expensive that what is available through private insurers. No one is arguing that people who don't work should draw a salary. We already have unemployment and welfare for the unfortunate who lose their jobs.

"Maybe you think "this guy's trying to be ironic, but ironically all those things should be free." I say, fine, but let's not pretend there's something magical about health care -- it's just something else you want for free if you can get it."

No one wants health care for free. What we want is reasonable prices and fair application. Health care should be available to everyone. It is not now. Advocates of health care reform understand it has to be paid for. Only idiots think it would be free.

"And what about treatment for illegal aliens -- will the new health plan let them wither away in the streets?"

Another red herring. Illegal aliens would be treated the way they are now... like any uninsured. And perhaps the additional difficulty would provide such with incentive not to enter the US illegally, eh? After all, they are here because they were INVITED.

"Sorry for asking pesky questions, so much more fun to grandstand about HEALTH CARE FOR ALL (as demanded by people who assume "the rich" will be the ones paying higher taxes)."

My wife and I pay appx. $7000/year in salary deductions and co-pays, etc. for our health insurance. If my taxes are raised $3 - 4000 to pay for universal coverage I make out like a bandit. Go ahead. Make my day. Raise my taxes. It is a better option than continuing to do nothing about the most serious problem that currently faces our society.

Which is what you no doubt want to do.

"Shelter is as primary as health care: where's the free guaranteed housing for people who can't afford rent or purchase?"

They're not the same thing.

Everyone needs shelter; that's predictable. But how much health care someone needs is unpredictable.

The costs are also completely different. A major operation or care for a chronic condition can cost as much as a modest house.

But the 800 pound gorilla is the fact that the cost and availability of health insurance depends to a great extent on your medical history. Healthy people pay a lot less and have many more choices than those who have health problems, yet it is the latter who need the insurance the most.

Would you dismantle Medicare and require everyone now on Medicare to seek private insurance?

"US emergency rooms will accept anyone with a broken leg for treatment."

And who pays for it? How much of the cost of health care goes to "administration" and how much to actual services?

Ever think that a major reason for the high costs is providers making up for losses on those who can't pay? And to deal with the byzantine mountains of paperwork?

Ever think that the high cost of providing health care insurance to employees is a major burden on American businesses that makes them less competitive on the world market?

Nobody with any sense expects "free" health care. What they want is affordable health care for everybody.

Why can't the USA have a health care system similar to what Canada, Australia, Japan, France, and almost every other developed Western nation has?

I think the biggest reason is - pride. Too many Americans don't want to admit that somebody else has a better idea and a better system. They'd rather suffer, pay and die with the system they have, chanting "we're #1", than admit the need for a change.

The second biggest reason is - it just might work. Imagine if a single-payer system were put in place and was actually better than the mess we have now. People might start demanding better education - better mass transit - better energy sources - better support of the working masses - a better tax structure. They might look at how other countries do things and demand that we make more changes.

We just can't have that.