I do not much care if the healthcare delivery vehicle is public or private. I do believe that everyone should have access to whatever it is, at the same coverage and at the same cost. I work for employer A and pay $1100/month for crappy coverage (small company). A friend works for the state and pays $200 for far better coverage. Why? I think if anyone in any government position - local, state, county, federal, etc.) paid the same as every other citizen, you would see great changes in how things work. As far as I can tell, the only winners in the whole system are the insurance companies - get rid of them.