Hello,
I suspect that once people got use to the idea of being able to seek health care when they were getting ill or injured, we would see a reduction in overall costs
My wife works for the county, so needless to say our coverage is both great and reasonable - compared to what the private sector has to suffer with.

My problem however has nothing to do with the actual cost and/or availability of services.
I'm in somewhat the same boat (or wagon if you prefer) as Steve.
I'm also one of those "pulling more than my share" of the loaded wagon, while others ride.
I simply can't afford to take time off to seek out treatment for anything short of a major "chest grabbing and flopping around like a fish out of water" type of thing.

My SIL's unemployed boyfriend? Oh yeah, every little twinge and he's off running to the ER. Same w/her two nephews, her niece who's on the .gov dole, all their kids....the list is a long one.