John Hardly,
Do you really think that access to an Emergency Room is suitable "health care" for anyone let alone children? It means that every simple cut or cold goes unattended until the child has a serious problem. It means that Mom and baby or child sit literally for HOURS amid contagious people waiting to be seen while burns and broken limbs and heart attacks are (appropriately) seen first.
These same Moms work and so they are reluctant to go to the hospital ER unless it is critical.
When my son has a bad cold, I took him to the doctor. When he had a strange rash, I took him to the doctor. The cold was asthma. The rash was due to anemia. Both could have caused him serious health problems had they not been treated immediately. I had health insurance.
I think the republicans are right - Medicare was the first step. Child health care will follow and eventually health care for all. It works in other countries. The rich will still have access to private health care and doctors driving Mercedes will still afford them.

For those supporting nationalized health care, keep in mind that things will change very quickly. Non-emergency and elective surgeries will not be immediately available. Now if my doctor finds a suspicious lump, I see a specialist the same day or within 24 hours. That simply won't happen. You will wait for surgeries that you think are critical but the doctors know better. As with everything else, there will be a downside.