The Frontline program Don firth mentioned was very informative. The five countries examined, each of which do a better job of caring for their people at a fraction of U.S cost, had quite diverse healthcare systems, but they all have this in common: It is against the law for insurance providers to make a profit on basic coverage and prices for services are fixed. This rational, humane and common sense approach has never even been on the table in the healthcare debate currently raging in the U. S. congress. Why? The ONLY reason that this country won't even consider an intelligent solution to our healthcare crisis is the billions being spent by insurance companies and "Big Pharma" on lobbying Congress, campaign contributions and propagandizing the American public.