And to segue back to the original point of this thread,, the Swiss health care system.  I agree with you Robert, that folks need to educate themselves about the optons we have in health care reform.

I've now read a couple of dozen articles about the Swiss health care system, and it seems a viable solution to the mess we have now.  I'm not so up to speed on hyperlinks, but if you google "swiss health care system", there are several articles I'd recomended.  The New York Times article from 10-1-09 gives a nice overview and decent cost comparisions.  The NPR article from 7-31-09 is pretty good for looking at the political angle.  I was quite impressed with an article from from the Atlantic by Regina Herzlinger dated 4-13-09 on why Republicans should back univeral health care.  She cites the Swiss system, and modifications we could consider here.

It seems to be a system that could be tailored to a state specific solution, or on a national level.  It is consumer driven with a lot of options on coverage and deductibles.  There is a fairly large out of pocket cost to the consumer, leading to greater consideration regarding costs v. benefits.  The system has about 85 private insurance companies to choose from, there is no public option.  I think something along these lines is a plan that the moderate Democrats and most of the Republicans could endorse.  It is private, the insurance companies make money, the consumer has choices, everyone is covered.

I would really like everyone to read up on the Swiss system and give their thoughts on this thread.