I think most would agree the state of health care is the US in bad shape.
Where did you get that idea? besides having been told it so much you just believe it.
I recently went thru major surgery. Couldn't ask for better health care, PERIOD. They did an amazingly good job, both medically and bureaucratically. Out-of-pocket cost was about 2% of 6-digit total. Paperwork was easy. Processing was fast & efficient. Recovery was rapid and nearly flawless.
Most people DO have good health insurance. I mean seriously: most people have little to complain about.
Of the relatively few who allegedly don't have good health insurance:
- many choose not to. The young and healthy often choose to go without, take the risk, and apply the money elsewhere. Ya makes yer choices and takes yer lumps.
- some can afford it but don't. This gets into the very fuzzy area of what constitutes "can't afford", as in "if you have cable TV and eat out often, get your priorities straight". Plan ahead; stuff happens, be ready.
- a few can't afford ideal coverage. Face it: ideal medical care is VERY VERY EXPENSIVE. I hate to be cold-hearted, yet have to say "cope" when it comes to many conditions (and you know what I mean, don't twist this sentence). You may very well have to choose some of the less desirable (but still very acceptable) options.
- a few simply can't afford it. This is actually a very small number relative to the overall population. You want the government to help them? Fine - but don't lump in the 99% who can take care of their own medical issues & costs.
You want free care? Walk into the ER. There's a sign by the entrance saying "you will be treated without regard to ability to pay." Yes they'll hand you a bill, which you can work out with them. Most people can pay SOMETHING, even if it's $10/month for life. Extremely few truly can't pay, so stop with the "but what if they can't pay" BS - the system eats those costs anyway.
The health care itself is top-notch. If anything, it's over-the-top because doctors are persuaded to make sure NOTHING gets by them - which, very understandably, gets rather expensive real fast. Face it: the USA has the best health care system in the world, easily accessed by most people WITHOUT a "universal health care" beaurocracy. Yes, there are a few horror stories, many of which are bogus (ex.: can't afford $50/month for meds but can afford $50/month for TV), some of which are inevitable screwups (of 300,000,000 people, SOMEONE will have a problem), and some of which are valid (sure, let's make a safety net for the truly needy).
We have Medicare, Medicaid, walk-in no-questions ER, and a host of other programs in place to catch the few who truly can't swing their own health care costs. We have a fantastically advanced and efficient medical infrastructure. Expensive? heck yeah, that's reality - and yet an incredible amount is done to make it accessible to all.
NOW... explain to me again why you think the state of health care is the US in bad shape. Don't just regurgitate the talking points, address what I just wrote.