Insurance costs set to increase 10 percent

I lived in Britain for 20 years, where health care is paid for out of general taxation. You never see a medical bill, except that those under 60 pay a small part of the cost of prescription drugs. The system has virtues and disavantages. You may have wait to see a specialist even when your problem is urgent, without its being an emergency. Twenty and thirty years ago in America, employer medical insurance did not pay for office visits and many other things. And now most insurance plans have a co-pay. The American idea seems to be that if you do not feel the financial pinch personally you might not look after yourself and therefore come to require expensive services. I am all for a preventive approach to health care, not just because it will keep premiums low but because it is better for your peace of mind.