Medical Expense or Health Insurance

NOTHING in the recently confirmed "Obama Healthcare Plan", in my opinion, really addresses living a healthy life and enjoying the benefits or consequences of your choices.  Somewhere along the way the reimbursement of MEDICAL Expenses has become known as HEALTH insurance. 

What we have done, I'm afraid, is to systematically

put the responsibility for our wellness into the hands of others.

Today a long-term client told me about her Medicare Advantage HMO plan which requires no additional premiums over what Medicare charges.  Then she talked about her desire to see a specialist for a condition she has had for many years.  After contacting the specialist she discovered they require her primary care physician's approval which of course she could not get. She has the money to pay for the services but did not think she could go around the system.  

Here is a site showing statistics on how well OUR system is working compared to the rest of the world.  Essentially they say things like "most expensive", "not the longest life expectancy" etc.

http://mastersinhealthcare.org/2010/25-eye-popping-infographics-on-global-healthcare-costs-and-quality/

I wonder what it would be like if we did away with insurance and employer paid medical insurance altogether ?  I am sure we are better off in some ways but I wonder what the next 30 years would be like if there were fewer people between the doctor and the patient?