Taking off a bit on what Epona said, I'll note you pay a higher health insurance in the US if you check the "smoker" box.
And, yes, this combined with the increase cigarette sin tax IS a double-tax on smoking, in effect, even though 1/2 of it goes to a private insurer.
MagiK, a national health care would likely, like in the UK, only provide *basic* services, and lots of extras would cost, well, extra. I think maybe having a governmental basic healthcare for all would not only be generally a good thing, but also might encourage insurers to offer more creative policies, like "skin and beauty" and "homeopathy" add-ons to policies so people can buy policies and really go get the medical services they want (whether or not you, Penn, or Teller think they are "worthwhile" or "bullshit").
*Shrugs* Doesn't matter to me, though. As the husband of a government employee I pay $8/mo. for really wonderful healthcare.
Speaking of which, if the gummint can take our tax dollars and dole 'em out to all government employees and their spouses, and if the gummint is 7 of the 10 largest employers in Chicago (which it is), then aren't your tax dollars already funding a wonderful free health care system for a hefty chunk of the population anyway?? [img]graemlins/1ponder.gif[/img]
I know, it's maddening isn't it. Don't break your computer screen over that one.
But, as a high wage earner in the US, I'd like to thank all you taxpayers for covering the difference between the $8/mo. I pay and the real value of my medical coverage, which is likely at least $200/mo. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]