Their whining is nothing more than crocodile tears. I say let the health insurance 'industry' be damned. If they can't compete, well, too bad. I am absolutely for a single payer system. The fear many Americans have about this possibility is a myth. I don't hear any of my friends on Medicare complaining. I want an alternative that puts the insurance companies' feet to the fire and offers some fairness to me. 

As I have stated repeatedly over the years, the Medicare system does work for most people.  There are quite a few problems within this system that need to be reviewed and modified, e.g., the lifetime Medicare penalties if you don't sign up in your eligibility year, the "doughnut hole" of the Prescription Drug Program where people reach a point and they no longer are fully covered for their Rx needs, etc.

Overall, the system works.  So, it should be extended to all Americans.

It should be obvious that the private health care sector does NOT want it because under Medicare the profits may be up to 30% less for doctors, other providers and pharmaceutical companies.

>Is it any wonder the industry does not want the government to provide health care for all Americans?

I don't totally agree with that, OldBridge.

If that were totally the case, we would not have Medicare the way it is.  The industry always complains that it is losing 30% of its costs under Medicare.  Yes, they are ripping us off, but it would be much worse if it was the way you state.  There are real government guidelines that keep it real for us using it.  However, every 6 months the industry fights with government for more profits by tweaking the current system.

Don't get me wrong.  There are a lot of special interest holes in our health care system.

You are right that we spend more on health care per person per capita than any other nation.  I gave those figures on another blog.

For some depressing statistics, visit the World Health Organization's website:

www.photius.com/rankings/world_health_performance_ranks.html