Some sort of "health insurance" is needed to make sure that all folks can get care regardless of income. In the US, our commercial insurance has the flaws that "Freedom Fighter" mentioned, and our former President's comment that "anyone can go to the Emergency Room" puts an untenniable burden on public facilities, not just because of trivial visits, but because people very badly need to practice preventive medicine. A mixed 'single payer' and 'Voluntary paid insurance' system such as Austrailia's is a good alternative. Medical people, including hospital staff and also 'non-traditional' providers such as Natropaths and Chiorpractors or Accupuncturists should be covered by both. One solution would be to require ALL health service providers (Includes nurses, lab folks, and medical specialty staff of all sorts) to serve two years of public service at civil service pay. They would be the core of public health. They would then have the option of private practice, or staying in the public system which would have some sort of progressive merit based pay