My Medicare is handled through a private company, United Health Care, on a zero premium plan. The only premium is the Medicare Part B premium of about 95.00 per month deducted from my SS benefit. The same type of program is available through several private companies, including Blue Cross.

Each of these private companies offer a plus program that includes additional monthly premium but I have found the zero premium program works fine for me, with a 10.00 co-pay for pcp and 25.00 for specialist. Generic drugs cost 4.00 and the next category of branded drugs costs 35.00. I have never had an out-patient procedure that was not well covered and preventive procedures like colonoscopy is covered 100%.

I have no doubt that there are better plans for a lot more money but assuming that the companies are making a profit on the part B premium, they would likely jump at the chance to include lower age groups. I can assure you that the coverage I have is far superior to the coverage I pay for my college age daughter and 12 year old son to the tune of around $200.00 per month.

How the Government would pay for this is another matter but it gives me some comfort that private enterprise is involved.

Universal health care is inevitable barring total collapse of our society, so we need to get used to it and find the best way to make it work.

The inevidability is partially driven by the dual pricing in the medical industry where they would charge individuals with no insurance 3-4 times the price they agree to charge insurance companies. I know that guaranteed payment is a factor but the medical industry will not deal with individuals even for cash in advance.