private health
being a health professional, I would strongly suggest that those of you in favour of private health would a) look at both the USA and Canadian systems, and compare and b) think about this situation: you are brought to hospital after a bad car crash. As you are wheeled in, bleeding, confused and groaning, a nurse asks you persistantly for your health insuarnce company and policy number, as no treatment can be given without these. (Not that any private hospitals provide A&E services here)
One of the big differences observed by colleague who worked in both the US and Canada, is that patients are brought in suffering very severe disorders in the States which are then more difficult and more expensive to treat in th US, while in Canada people go to get things sorted at an early stage, because they are not going to be hit with bills. It's happening here already with people avoiding going to the GP for early treatment because of the cost.