Jon G Bartlett - You may have to start fighting to keep those benefits. Here in Australia the government (for want of a better term) which is of the same capitalist colour that got us into Vietnam is now intent on selling off the remaining parts of the public health insurance system, having already sold off much of our other public services in the name of economic rationalism, and doing its' best (or worst) to dismantle much of the legislation which offered protection to the lower paid and the rest of us ordinary folk.

It is also worth pointing out that many of the private organisations which have picked up these services in the interests of making a quick buck are foreign - and down here that usually means American. It is not going to be a viable proposition for any succeeding government to ever buy back these systems - without implementing the kind of nationalisation that Nasser employed in Egypt. That would make any country popular with its' foreign investors.

The Heinlein concept was and remains great - where it falls down, unfortunately, is that nothing can insure against idiot or venal governments changing their mind in what they see as the public interest, and the results can be irreversible. Pity though. I've always liked the idea of compulsory universal service - either military or emergency or whatever. It can be argued that the only elements of national welfare which no-body has the right to alter for the worst are; Public Health Public Security Social Care I reckon that about covers everybody one way or another....