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[learningboutinv]

OT - I think with 300 million people in the US providing Healthcare for everyone will cost a lot more money than most people think; especially when compared to a smaller population base such as ~30million Canadians. In addition we already pay more taxes in the US than Canadians and just because there is free healthcare in Canada doesn't necessarily mean it is good or that you don't have to wait a while (months to a year) to get a particular operation done. When I was living back on the East coast I was paying 40% in Fed, State, County and Local taxes and I got hit with AMT for the past 5 years, and no, my AGI wasn't even near 100K+ it was well below.

I also think that because there is no liability limit for Doctors that is the reason why insurance is so expensive in the US. When my college roomate's wife have to deliver 20 babies just to pay for malpractice insurance that is the biggest reason why there are less Obgyns now. My sister decided not to be a Cardiac surgeon, and is still deciding on what to specialize in. But one main reason was the amount of work needed to just cover insurance costs.

I don't know of any profession where you are expected to perform work knowing full well that the person has no insurance and can't pay, but you can't turn them away and you must use your equipment, your materials, etc at a loss. I know that if I don't get paid for my Consulting work, I stop work. I turned down a recent Network/Security Consulting gig because I had doubts on whether the company was financially stable enough to pay me and I am sure the same could be said about Joe the Plumber, lawyers, construction workers, etc. But the same can't be said of Doctors.