Health insurance now costs $16,000 for average family

[Sancho]

13. True...and in "universal coverage" systems, health professionals are paid much less.

Usually 1/3 to 1/2 what US doctors and nurses are paid. There are a number of other differences depending on the variety of systems out there.

A Medicare/Medicaid option for everyone should be part of the ACA to make it better. You may have to wait longer or go to a clinic without choosing your doctor or suffer other inconveniences - but it would be essentially "free" (covered) if you didn't have the income.

The system of for-profit hospitals and pharmacy monopolies adds a lot of costs. Also, the US has a convoluted system so that the actual payment for various treatments and services is almost impossible to figure out. I think the ACA has begun to put pressure on the transparency part of the system, but there's a long way to go.