...exactly.  You mentioned all those things that Washington is doing badly "no child left behind", and then say in the same breath that you'd like to see the private sector out of health insurance.  why?  so Washington can continue to do nothing?

Am I the only one who sees a dichotomy here?

I'm think that like car insurance, you are "required" (required is in quotes for brevity) to have a minimum insurance policy: ER and preventative, the details are TBD.  All in all make it a less than totally appealing package, yet workable as an utter minimum.

THEN if you want a gussier package, complete with bells and whistles in addition to the "required' package, pay AETNA or whomever for the upgrade.

Think of it in terms of boating:  you want to boat, we give you an old Protec, an RPM, a 150 CM paddle with a 90 degree feather, and the kind of vest worn by flatwater canoeists in the 60's.

You want a better boat, a Sweets helmet, a 197 CM paddle with 20 degree feather, and a good PFD, you pay for the upgrade.