In response to:
If health insurance companies were allowed to price the way auto insurance companies do, the "health care crisis" would be solved. Thus a 16 year old with six tickets, two accidents and a drinking problem pays (a lot) more than a 50 year old with a sterling record. Likewise, an obese, hard-drinking chain-smoker should pay (much) higher premiums than someone who takes care of himself. The problem is, the government does NOT ALLOW this type of premium setting in medical insurance - it would be discrimination.
So once again, government meddling in markets turns a neat and obvious solution into several problems.
Who the hell is New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to presume that he has a say in what I or any other American chooses to drink? Of course, the answer for any self-respecting citizen is that he has no such say, and the proper response to him and his legion of petty fascist fan boys is the suggestion that they pucker up – and I will politely decline to identify what they should kiss.
It’s a sad commentary that the once boisterous, independent, take-no-guff New Yorker of the past has been replaced by a gutless, cowardly supplicant eager to obey...
Back in the '80's I owned a small business that couldn't even get a group policy because one of my guys had a minor heart murmur. The system is a complete disaster, has been for decades, and is bankrupting our country. It is also the number one reason for personal bankruptcy filings, even by people who have insurance. The answers, unfortunately, won't fit in a TH post.