[tidepod12]

I think you're misunderstanding the word "commodity". If healthcare were commoditized, then "what's the closest ER" would be the only thing that matters. You are actually advocating for commoditization.

Water, for example, is a commodity. It doesn't matter where you get it, because water from one tap is mostly indistinguishable to water from a different tap. When you need water, you simply just go to the closest tap and you can be happy that you're getting the same quality water as anywhere else. That's exactly what you want with healthcare, too.

[ceejayoz]

Water is a public utility here. I’d like the same for healthcare.

[tidepod12]

Being a public utility or not has nothing to do with commoditization. You keep saying you're against commoditization but then make arguments in favor of it.

In fact, commoditization of healthcare is probably one of the best steps towards making it a public utility. So if that's what you want, then you probably do want healthcare to be commoditized.