[Byte1]

Going back to the comment about socialized medicine being soooo great in third world countries, let me reply using my experience at having LIVED in other countries, not visited on vacation or flying there for a medical treatment. We are speaking of what the citizens or residents get when they are "given" such a great socialist opportunity.
First off, lets mention payroll deductions again. It is not just some fee they are paying for their so-called "free" health care. It is a percentage of their paycheck. Germany pays about 55% of their wages in payroll taxes, not to mention sales and VAT, plus other taxes. You want to see what socialism does to the middle class? Try living in those "great" free countries.
Regarding the idea of running to other countries for your operations. Yes, I know a guy that had both his hips replaced in Columbia. I think it only cost him about $7,000. Good deal, but I wonder how many natives of Columbia can even afford that much.
India will replace your knee for about $7K including the airlines ticket. That's a deal that is a few years old, so I am not sure how much it is now. Would you go to India and get anything done, regardless of how great the surgeon is? It is one of the nastiest, dirtiest countries in the world. Check out how they live. Sure, I had an Xray that only cost me $4. I was an American and walked to the front of the line. Americans get treated better in these other countries than the locals.
You think their systems are better? That is so naive. I call folks in America ignorant in their "great" education because they are so arrogant to think that they know how other countries live. The key word in this is "LIVED IN" those other countries. It is fact that our low income earners live as well as supposed middle class in many other countries, including European countries. Socialism eliminates the middle class, period. When it comes to medical treatment, someone mentioned how all these other countries have those that can afford it, fly to the U.S. for treatment. If it is so expensive here, why do they rush over here for treatment? Ask my niece that lives in Canada. She's a nurse and comes here for treatment. One problem they have there is long lines. Her mother died of cancer in Canada probably because it took so long to get an appointment and then longer again to get treatment started.
I have been to hospitals in other countries that had dark hallways with no lighting, broken windows, family had to bring blankets and food. Sure, not all of them are like that, but beware what you wish for.
Live in a socialized medicine country before "knowing" all about it. I don't know it all, but I have lived most of my life in other countries. I'll take expensive health care here over those countries.