Mac- Between your education and experiential proximity to relatives in the HC industry, I fully believe your assessment in the caliber of the treatment you got.

I have to challenge you on the basic premise of your argument that "a complete dismantling" of the current system is even being considered.

I'm most familiar with HR 3200 and the Baucus Bills. In neither, according to both right & left evaluations, is the current HC system eliminated.

Consider:

*People will not be required by the Gov't to change their insurance plans, change their preferred Doctors, change their preferred facilities/etc.

*The 85% of employed people who currently get HC from their employers will continue to do so. The percentage will actually increase as larger employers are mandated to provide health insurance for their employees or face penalties.

*Insurance Co's will no longer be able to deny you coverage due to pre-existing conditions. (Which may come in very handy when you look for coverage in the future, depending on the circumstances of your recent issues.)

*Insurance Co's will not be allowed to cancel your insurance after you get sick.

*Providers will still negotiate rates and agreements with private ins. co's...

...and so on...

Whether there winds up being a public option or not, the essence of our long standing HC system will still very much remain in place.

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Bill in Dayton