***********.gallup.com/poll/117205/americans-not-feeling-health-benefits-high-spending.aspx
this is a more recent poll (2009), and I would say US healthcare satisfaction is pretty close to other countries. Don't forget that Americans have nothing to compare it with. Once it's administered through the government, I expect it to drop. Why change something so dramaticay when the vast majority is happy? Instead addresss the probems we have (lawsuites, fraud, offer tax credits to MD for offering free services to uninsured, etc.)?? You think it's expensive now, wait til it's "free"!

Individual responsibility for health insurance, including premium assistance to those who need it
Well, offer them tax-credits to buy own coverage.

That is correct.
The general perception of the bill by thebill supporters is - the Government provided Health Care is supposed tobe free and accessible to everyone.
It is not free today. Thecosts associated with the proposal are not fully comprehended today andmost likely will be more to the society and every taxpaying individual.
In which case, I can make two major points against the bill, in case we let it go:
- the non contributing people will be able to vote freebies to themselves every time they want
- the contributing population is forced to pay for the rest, which simply is not fair
Cheers...

this is a more recent poll (2009), and I would say US healthcare satisfaction is pretty close to other countries.
.
The Poll asks about satisfaction with personal health, not healthcare... The Us is slightly behind Mexico - it's GDP per capita is $14,400, while that of the United States is $48,000.

.
According to that article: "Only 56% of American respondents say they have confidence in their country's healthcare system. Of the countries in the OECD, only five have significantly less confidence in their country's healthcare system than the United States: Poland, Greece, Slovakia, Ireland, and Hungary."
.

"While the United States has the highest per-capita total health expenditures of any country in the OECD, Americans report relatively average levels of perceived health, according to Gallup's Personal Health Index."

" The United States, which spends by far the most among OECD members on health per capita ($6,714) and the most as a percentage of its GDP (more than 15%), has only a relatively average Personal Health Index score (78) compared with other OECD countries. "
.
"To compare, Ireland (which has a universal health system with universal coverage) spends half that amount per capita ($3,082) and has a Personal Health Index score of 86, the highest among all OECD countries Gallup measured."

Government has done such a great job with everything else they run. Can't wait to see what they'll do with health care.

Slavik, what do you have against postal service?:-D
btw, did you get your green card, your naturalization paper, your drivers license, your zoning etc... from some private party you had to bribe? or you got it waiting patiently and got it in time as promised? Were you able to set up your business here without being threatened by mafia and having to pay bribes every step along the way and now successful and prosperous? - we are, tfu, tfy, tfu:-) . So I personally absolutely don't mind paying taxes to this country and will not mind 1% surtax if it will be imposed on me either. This said - there are TONS of problems in this government and in this country.... nobody is denying them, but blanket statements that government is to blame for everything are just not based in reality - especially coming from us, who would live in ....well, we all know where

I also think that most of the government agencies work adequatly. However adequatly just doesn't cut it when it comes to healthcare...

:-D Julia, do you have a 401K plan or do expect government to provide you with happy retirement?
Would you turn over all your 401K to government if they promise to invest it for you?
I think it might be next.
Do you know what the wait time for green card is? U.S. Passport?
Some countries like India and I believe Russia or Ukraine outsourced their visa services to private 3rd party. Turn around time is 1-2 days at no additional fee.
:-)
U.S. Government does a great job in many areas, but they need to stay away from private sector before they kill competition. That includes bailing out underperformers, banks, Goldman Sachs , etc.
Government control equals to mediocre performers occupying key positions equals corruption.

Julia, I am sure you were kidding about DMV and postal service but in case not .... have you heard of UPS and FEDEX?
Who is using USPS for anything but x-mas cards? :-D
That's why a cost of stamp keeps going up. If not for Government they would be out of business long ago.
Next for your review and approval is heavily liberal state of California. Another good example of over-regulated govmt run enterprise.
Yesterday I went to a movie theater. Tickets and popcorn cost me $40 for two. But if movie industry would be gvmnt run I would never see such classics as Borat and Bruno
:-D