I don't have very much experience in the health insurance industry but I can tell you that there is a difference between pipe dreams and reality.

I am very much in favor of med insurance for everyone. But the reality is that there are forces - pharm companies, med supply companies, implant companies, docs and the other people involved in providing health care that do not want, nor care for more government involvement.

Ask any physician about billing and the feds.

Here's another hint about why Fed Insurance won't work.

Should the gov't. start insuring medically they will look into the costs and investigating why the prices are so outrageous. Companies like Baxter, Smith and Nephew will Medtronics will fight tooth and nail to keep their golden goose alive.

I have seen the prices of sutures, screws and plates, implanted defibrillators...I wish I could fleece - I mean sell product to hospitals.

-------------

The health plan I worked for had a plan to save money and reward the docs who could save the most.

A friend took his son to a satellite clinic (same company I worked for) his son fell and bumped his arm.
NO X-RAY, just an ace band-aid, aspirin and little "bend your arm".

Later on that evening the kid woke up screaming - the second visit revealed a broken arm.

Crappy health care is a reality. I had to make sure my I.D. badge was off because if I walked into a public area with it on I'd always get the, "Oh, you work for XXXXXX? You killed my Mom, sister, brother....."

-----------

Every change does start with a pipe dream, But you have to be ready for the people you are going to pi$$ off when you light up in a No Smoking area.