I firmly believe that no man woman or child should ever be without health coverage and that it should be within their ability to access and afford it. If this means a governmental plan option, then I say Amen. We already have socialized education (public schools), emergency services (police, fire, etc). While they may not be perfect I think they works better than the old have vs. have nots system of private only. Think back to when fire departments were private subscription only services - truly a disaster! We coud learn from other countries and formulate a decent system. I only hope they don't let "the industry" dictate what it wil be like Part D being drafted by pharmaceutical industry.

If someone has private insurance and it works for them then I do not think you should be forced to change it. I also think that if and when they ever pass a govt health plan no politician or lobbiest should be allowed to tack on something that has nothing to do with it (like getting a road built or factory funded or any other pork).

Just my opinion. I have seen it from a variety of angles: uninsured, medicaid, medicare, private, union and military. No plan was perfect but having no insurance of any kind was unbearable.