Health care is a huge discussion in and of itself, but only because of the obfuscation introduced into the US debate. 

Fundamental fact (say I): all other western democracies have found that some form of a single payer system with government as the single payer is the cheapest per capita system to provide quality health care for all citizens. 

By comparison, the US system (best I can make out) is NOT middle ground, but a free market insurance system, with elements of socialized care for the elderly and indigent tossed in to make the system appear less barbaric. 

Lumen, I have enjoyed this back and forth with you, but for the next couple of weeks, I am way over my head and am going to have to withdraw from anything but causal reading and perhaps the odd comment on NCR. 

Hope your Easter was glorious for you and yours.