So Let's See What Happens

[bu villain]

So, you think that we need to provide more care to more people, but it won't cost as much? Do you really believe that? If so, then there is no possible way that you will ever understand enough about health cost for your opinion to be relavent..

Generally speaking I agree with you. I said costs would change, you just assumed I meant downward. However, I admit I don't know the full impact because the fact is that right now many people are getting care and not paying their bills and you are paying for them. Right now you pay through higher costs passed on by the hospitals, with a government plan you pay through taxes. I don't really know which way is worse.

1. Why does it need to change? If someone does not choose to have enough medical coverage, and ends up in bankruptcy, then so be it. Bankruptcy is not the end of the world. They can rebuild their credit quickly if it was due to medical costs.
Canada still has bankruptcys due to medical costs: http://www.american.com/archive/2009...ankruptcy-myth
http://www.gabar.org/communications/...es/bankruptcy/
.

There will always be bankruptcy for medical payments of course. The question is what is a reasonable level? If 99% of the population was going bankrupt for this reason, it would seem something is wrong that needs to be addressed. Of course percentages are no where near 99% but you get my point hopefully. What is an acceptable rate?

2. The answer is personal responsibility. Until people change their own habits, and get insurance, they will continue to exploit the system to get something for nothing. A lot of illegals abuse the system this way. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1250...61432585.html.

That would be great but we don't live in that world so unless you are happy with people not paying their medical bills at the rate they are now, and jacking hospital costs up, just telling someone to be more responsible won't solve the problem.

3. No, it would be best if everyone that might need insurance to be able to pay their medical bills would get it - illegal and legal. The rich can afford their bills, so they will not need insurance.
How do you convince people to get it - teach them to be responsible for themselves and their family, rather than tell them to let the government take care of them.
If they default and declare bankruptcy, they can rebuild from there. It is not the end of their lives. they won't lose their house, as it is considered an unsecured debt by law.

Once again, this would be ideal but teaching an entire nation of people (many recent immigrants) to share your morals is going to be difficult and take a lot of time.