I don't full understand the thing about obtaining private health insurance. A privatized plan is available in my State for managed care through United Healthcare. It is called MedicareComplete. This plan has been available as a no cost option for a mumber of years. It even had a small prescription benefit until recently (about 600 per year a $10 copay on generics and $35 on brands). They recently started charging $60 per month for a somewhat inhanced prescription program with the no cost option still available with no prescriptions.

This plan or something like it, is available in all States I believe and in some States there are more than plan (company) available. In addition to this there are numerous plus plans that cost in the $150-300 range. That is not exactly cheap but it is not a lot more than most group plans available through an employer

So, what is the deal with using private insurance? It is already out there for those that don't mind a managed care system. I assume that this will continue under whatever comes out of Congress and what ever is now available will be inhanced to some degree. What are they arguing about?

When you compare the benefits, it is beyond me to figure out why anyone would choose straight Medicare just to retain the ability to see whoever and whatever Doctor they choose. I suspect that if national health care were fully privatized under government scrutiny there would be even more options and benefits.