[tptacek]

It is especially amusing to see people suggest that the government can't competently administer health care given that Medicare customer satisfaction exceeds that of private health insurers. It's weird how easily people "forget" that the federal government is already an extremely accomplished health management administrator.

But I take issue with your argument about the health market not clearing. In fact, consumers have important options for how they finance the cost of care. One obvious one: they can pay higher premiums for a low-deductible policy that gives them less control over their outlays but eliminates risks, or they can opt for nosebleed deductibles offset by rolling health savings accounts.

[anigbrowl]

I see your point, but I think it's very hard to gauge what the appropriate level of insurance is, because the risk factors are opaque and the likely cost of treatment unpredictable.

The other reason I'm strongly in favor of socialized healthcare is because of the insane administrative burdens it imposes on patients, whether or not they have insurance. Every medical decision a person makes about their own health in the US suddenly takes on administrative and financial dimensions that are quite poorly correlated with the clinical considerations.

[jbooth]

Don't forget the VA, too.

Our government only insures the absolute worst customers (old people, poor people, veterans), and STILL does it cheaper than the vaunted private sector. It's absolutely mind blowing how bad a job the insurance system does.