Reply #2: Okay, I'll join you. I saw this report on the BBC about the healthcare system

[beachmom]

in Holland:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/world_news_america/8141383.stm

There is NO public option there. All insurance is private, but heavily regulated.

There are really two issues about our health care problems:

1. Universal coverage (for some, it is impossible to get insurance at any price)
2. Cost (many people simply cannot afford the premiums, and even if they had the insurance, could not afford to pay the percentage of the care they are obligated to pay under the plans)

Massachusetts set out to fix #1, and #2 bit them in the a**. It is pretty clear that both need to be fixed in order for this to work. I find too many commenters to be too ideological -- it HAS to be government doing it. Well, I have to agree what is most important is the goal: universal coverage (REAL coverage, not junk insurance) and keeping costs down. That's it.