Yes, this is the correct forum to continue this discussion.
Just a couple of observations:
It would seem that California, population 35 million, would be big enough for market forces to operate, but nevertheless, let's by all means allow insurers to compete across state lines. That should be a no brainer.
yes, no doubt part of the cost of medical care is due to lawsuits, so tort reform is a good idea.
But, let's not just stop there and think we've solved the problem of runaway health care costs.
As for the choices, no, it's not a matter of simply allowing individuals to do without medical insurance. It is a question of allowing individuals to do without medical care. If we're not willing to "violate someone's rights" to provide for the uninsured, how is a person of limited means, or even of moderate means, going to pay for a procedure that runs to the hundreds of thousands of dollars?
The choices are (1) require everyone to have insurance, (2) pay for the uninsured in one way or another, or (3) allow some to do without medical care.
A universal catastrophic plan would be the most logical, practical, and affordable way to go. It will never happen, of course, as it would cut out the insurance giants and cut into the profits of big pharma, but it is something to think about anyway.
