How do you think we would fare in a global epidemic, being the only country without Single Payer?

[YarnAddict]

21. Take my word for it. They're not turned away.

I think fear of catching something is a great reason to avoid hospitals. The cost is prohibitive, which can be a not-too-bad thing.

Many, many years ago, we had this fantastic health insurance plan. It paid literally everything, with no deductible, no co-pay, and very minimal payments. I think less than $10/paycheck.

During a year in which I had three surgeries, five rounds of chemotherapy, six weeks of radiation, an infinite number of doctor visits, a pregnancy and birth, and well-child exams for my older child, we paid $10, because I had forgotten to bring slippers to the hospital for my surgery and we had to buy the hospital slippers.

BUT--because there was so little out-of-pocket, people abused it. A co-worker took her constipated toddler to the ER once. Someone else had a sliver and went to the ER to have a doc dig it out. No one thought twice about home remedies, or waiting til office hours to see a doc, or anything else that would minimize the cost. Within a very short time, the premiums went up, coverage went down, I believe deductibles may have been instituted, and within a couple of years that coverage ceased to exist. No wonder!

Personally, I believe that everyone should have to pay something to access care, just to make people decide if it is really necessary.