I like the idea of MSP's. They usually have a high deductible, $5000 dollar maximum allowed by law (I think). As usual, the plan holder is responsible for amounts (including prescriptions) up to the deductible. It's basically catastrophic coverage- a safety net protecting you from financial ruin in the event of serious illness or injury. Even having to take out a loan to pay the deductible is not going to get in the way of the American dream.

I know it stinks of socialism but why not take the profit away from the insurance companies and use it to ease the financial burden of health care? By design or not, it's the insurance companies who have become extortionists in the health care racket by effectively removing the market forces as you noted. You said it yourself, one way or another we are probably going to see socialized medicine.

If we had a government administered MSP it would not totally remove the responsibility from the individual and it would keep the cost to the taxpayer down compared to a full-blown healthcare system. I might be wrong but I don't see Insurance companies taking an active role in keeping health care costs down. Maybe the government would do no worse (big maybe).

If the government was the Insurer, for those having difficulty paying the out of pocket expenses, would making a low or no interest government backed loan available be too much? Of course those on the left of the aisle would find a way to make it progressive- low or no deductible for the poor higher deductible for the rich. At least it would be a mechanism that could be put in place without totally plowing under the current system.