Reply #33: A little thought experiment could clear this all up... imho.

[Hugin]

Say, You're (Not you specifically, TB) having chest pains... Who are you going to call first?

A Health Care Professional or your Insurance Agent?

This is all about compensation... AFTER treatment... How are the people and institutions who provided expertise and supplies needed during care, COMPENSATED.

There is no intrinsic link between the insurance industry and medical assistance (although, it's in the Insurance Industries' best conflict-of-interest to maintain the illusion that there is) Other, than health insurance is the currently corrupt system used to compensate for expenses (at those companies whim... I might add).

Imagine a world without insurance, we'd still need medical services and other countries have found better and cheaper ways to compensate health care providers.

I wonder if Steven Hawking has health insurance? I doubt it. But, he does get health care.