How about this very interesting proposal for universal (but private) health care from Sen. Ron Wyden?

Question

The basics are that businesses no longer buy health care, but instead give the cash value of that coverage to employees who go purchase their own (private) insurance.

Then, after two years of this, the businesses simply pay into a pool based on their number of full-time employees and revenue.

There are obviously a lot of details I don't have, but it sounds like it might satisfy those who hate all things government sponsored (you're still buying private insurance) as well as business who are being crushed under the burden of providing health care.

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2006/12/14/news/doc458026910d03c415954326.txt

Workable or not?

Answer 1

I see three major flaws in the first sentence. Employers who buy health insurance for large groups get better rates than individuals can get on their own. Secondly, if the money is paid to an employee it becomes taxable income, so the employee has less money to buy more expensive insurance. Third, if the employer gives the money to the employee, what is to prevent the employee from keeping and spending the money rather than buying insurance.
Employers paying into a pool sounds like mandatory health insurance to me. What if an employer does not want to pay into a pool? Will the government force him? If so, it won't work.
Health insurance belongs in the private sector. People (employers and employees) should not be forced by government to buy something they do not want to buy.
Most people in the US are covered by private insurance, government insurance or welfare programs.
The health care professions and the insurance industry are the most government regulated fields in the US. Government adds to the cost of both fields.
Free enterprise works.