I think we will progress to single payer and leave insurance out, but this might be the best way to move towards it. Otherwise, the mess might be unbelieveable...I don't know if I would insist on full participation just for the outrage it would cause..but the same people would expect to get medical care as complained about paying for insurance up front, even at a greatly reduced price. Some youngsters especially will think they don't need it so why should they pay..there are gamblers out there..there are people who would rather put their money elsewhere because they know someone somewhere will foot the bill for them. So I do not obama-like assume that reducing it greatly will bring everyone in..but when you start out saying you will garnishee wages..you're in for a fight.

Start right now by flooding poorer parts of the country with public health nursing and keep on adding stuff. Have clinics here and there and do not allow people to misuse emergency rooms. Have a clinic in the same building or in the next block. That notion oh gee we have to close down the er because poor people use it to get their shots..for heavens sake..get a part-time nurse and put him/her in an office down the hall and divert those patients. mg