[nickff]

Mandatory coverage was another wealth transfer; when 30% of patients are not paying for their medical treatments, and the other 70% are being forced to cover that cost, it is a wealth transfer.

To be clear, I am not saying wealth transfers are bad, but we should be honest about what is happening.

[throwaway9848]

I do see where you're coming from. Maybe if I said I don't believe it's a _new_ wealth transfer? 30% of the population is not going without care today - they are getting ER care for non-emergent reasons or they're covered by Medicaid or the VA. The Medicaid/VA is a direct cost and the ER visits are indirect via increased costs.

Unless we want to decide as a country to not subsidized healthcare for those that can't afford it and to allow hospitals to refuse treatment without upfront payment... then let's be honest about what's happening there, too. The money comes from somewhere, it's every bit as much of a wealth transfer.