To a European, the fact that this concept would be so maligned in America is unbelievable. Yes, it is true, such a system can be much abused but the fact that someone can be left distraught and in debt having been presented with a bill for thousands of dollars to help them recover from an illness is, to our minds, quite disgusting. Why not lead the world America, and create a fair system that would be something everyone would like to adopt? I always thought of America as a country that liked to say 'yes, we can do that, let's put our minds together and create a model for the world, just as they did with the moon landings'. The motivation of the new conservativism is fear, control and a 'no' mentality. Mr P: shouldn't the American people's political focus therfore be to demonstrate against the furtherance of such unhealthy lifestyles...enough of the MacDonalds, the unnatural foods (I've lived in the States and seen dougnuts sold everywhere, blue coloured drinks, maufactured cream, GM modified bread and even bright pink cheese!) Shouldn't there be the insistance that schools provide to proper dietary requirements, the removal or banning of hormones, additives, toxins, chemicals and suchlike in food preparation and animal husbandry and the education of citizens in correct eating, exercise habits and stress management as well as providing the understanding behind creating better relationships? Money better spent and maybe then you wouldn't need any sort of welfare. The second point is why should the system be corrupt? Why install a corrupt system? Design one that is less susceptible to such before you even implement it. FURTHER UPDATE; I was suggesting that the Americans could invent something that was good because they obviously didn't like the European model. Yes, I agree we here could do better and why not? Still no reason to malign socialised medicine.