Paying for it will always be the problem, but not just who pays for it, but whom will be paid for those services. IMO the problem with today's healthcare and insurance dilemma is that everyone wants to get in on the gravy train. Doctors, specialists, and everyone in between, are eager to take a fee. Pharmaceutical companies charge just about whatever they want because they know, eventually, they'll get paid. Insurance is best left to the private market, because if it goes universal through the government, then there will never truly be any limitations on what is covered, how much is paid, and the system will collapse upon itself.<p>For those that want to draw parallels to other nations, please remember those nations tend to be considerably smaller than the U.S., and they've had a LOT longer to work on these problems.<p>For my two cents, healthcare in America could be greatly improved with the following:<p>1) No one gets turned down for insurance, no matter what. Even if it's just basic prescription drug coverage, some basic level.
2) The cost of insurance is tied to your income, with the price gradually increasing as your wage increases so people are not forced to keep a low paying job for low paying insurance, unless of course that's what they want.
2a) The longer you have continuous insurance the more coverage you get, and the lower your costs. Incentive people to get, maintain, and keep insurance.
3) A cap on the price of drugs that have been on the market for more than 2 years.
4) Exclusive patents on drugs no more than 4 years.
5) Insurance is available nationwide, portable, and covers you no matter where you live, work, or go.
6) Finally, if you cancel your insurance you may not reapply for insurance for six months. Stop people from dropping insurance and waiting to pick it up only when they need it.<p>There are a dozen holes you can poke in that, I understand, but it's a start, and it's a short law that I think many would agree with.