[Excaliber]

Ron, a public option is just one aspect of a possible health bill. That proposal would include a sliding fee based on income so it's not likely to "break" you or anybody.

In Scott's example he is paying a penalty because he is higher risk, which is similiar to people with pre-existing conditions. Steve says OK, thats reasonable for him to pay more. Maybe not. Insurance companies "Cherry Picking" or flat out denying coverage to their clients is one of the big problems we have with current health plans. They do so to aggressively. To address that make Health Care a mandate that ALL people must have it. That spreads the risk out to a larger group. Now HOW that mandate is enforced, at a State or Federal level, the cost per citizen and a myriad of other details need to be worked out.

A minimum charge per Dr. visit would be one way to keep folks out of the office for a "runny nose".

DOES the Government have the Constitutional authority to "force" you to buy insurance? Maybe, maybe not. IF not, Congress can pass an amendant making it so. It's not a major hurdle, good or bad, that's just the way it is.