Obama was elected largely on health care reform. The people wanted it. However, he tried to make it a bipartisan deal with Republicans involved - big mistake. They had no notion of cooperating, and the Dems took it off the table. That's when the insurance companies took it over, and we have what we have today. There has to be an optional viable alternative available for those who want it and need it. It's the only way to keep the insurance companies honest. Socialized medicine is not acceptable in this country at this time, however, we do have a form of it in place - the insurance companies are the socialists who set all the prices and standards of care. Our system allows hospitals and insurers to be for-profit entities who must make money for their stockholders. I have a problem with that but realize it isn't going to change. Currently, there seems to be a lot of public sentiment for healthcare reform, but everyone makes such a political thing out of it that we all lose the real focus of the issue - Affordable Healthcare.

It's a big problem and to solve it will require some sacrifices by everyone- especially some politicians who need to listen to their electorate instead of their lobbies.

It's amazing how so many other advanced countries have figured out how to deliver universal healthcare to their citizens for far less money then we spend per capita on healthcare.

People wanted it? Those that pay wanted affordable healthcare (The A in ACA), most Dem supporters wanted healthcare someone else pays for.

Try looking at a country comparison objectively and it's not so amazing.

Post a source, and we'll take a look at it.

Sure they do.

https://financesonline.com/top-ten-countries-with-highest-tax-rates

and yet no one in those countries like it. I've talked to many of our folks at our Canada branches. They would trade with us in a minute if they could.

Read the comment section of this article.... Thomas nails it.

It sounds ridiculous but that's exactly what's happening.
I paid almost $24,000 in premiums last year.
On top of that I have a $500 deductible and a $50 copay.
The hospital charges me & the insurance company $50 for a Tylenol and my insurance pays an "adjusted" amount of 50 cents.
Then, the hospital tries to collect the balance from me.
It's reprehensible.

Just so you'll know, here's the numbers for three of the nation's top health insurers.

2019 Q2 profits (this is for a single quarter)
Cigna $34.4 billion
CVS $63.4 billion
UnitedHealth $60.6 billion

Dems thought it was a good move forcing insurance companies to spend 80% on healthcare costs but the companies quickly figured out how to make a bigger pie. Charge more, spend more, keep more.

I was thinking all a patient is legally obligated to pay is the contract amount (after coinsurance, deductibles etc) covered by the insurance company, not the initial amount charged by the provider.

I don't know where you got those numbers but they are completely wrong. No company on the planet makes 60 billion a quarter. I'm not saying they don't make a lot of money, but they don't make anywhere near that much money.

Can't imagine no one likes it or they would have made a change by now. They might trade for it until they have to pay for it.