QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 20, 2009 -> 11:14 PM)
I don't buy that at all. You are talking about adding the people who have been least able to afford care before to the system, and there being no incentive for them to keep care to a small of a level as possible. Once this happens, it becomes like welfare, social security, or any other program that people are "entitled" to. Unless someway that has been publicly discussed happens to discourage people from seeking care, there will be an explosion of people seeking medical attention. Like I said earlier, the cheaper something is, the more people that will buy it. When something is "free" there is nothing to stop you from using it for everything. At least now, people have the fear of their credit being ruined, or being hounded by bill collectors to stop them from seeking care for no reason. After Obama-care, there won't even be that.
As I said there should be some co-pay to prevent overuse. With such an obvious problem, I would be amazed if it was not addressed in the program.
It is free for those that go to the emergency room intending not to pay.
There was an earlier comment by Alpha that the plan allows for the government to draft your bank account to pay for the services, so that would seem to address that there will be a co-pay and there will be strict collections, both would work to help solve your concern.