Reply #13: If we start from today's situation...

[NewGuy]

we have to consider today's cost. For those with insurance, the option to pay less for catastrophic only and to put the rest in an account is a good one. Even if you include the cost of drugs. The company I work for provides this option and most people take it. Regardless of who pays for it, it costs the same or less to have. It is very similar to car insurance. In most years you won't have an accident (or a serious health problem) so carrying a low deductible doesn't pay for itself.

If we agree we need to cover everyone then what we should look for is the cheapest method that would do so, then work to determine where the money would come from to cover those who cannot cover themselves. What I hesetate to do is develop another program that will cover everyone to make it "FAIR". If, instead we work from an assumption that the current cost is too high and must be brought down. An entire diferent set of assumptions is required.