In the legislation? (Admittedly I did not read all of it the first time -- merely skimmed -- and I have not read the final copy.) I would hope that they look at other sources for improving efficiency and things, but the fact that the structure itself isn't fully set up yet (policy still being written I think) means that many things are still up in the air. (I'll be happier when I only have specific things to complain about, I think ;) But yeah, that's important, I agree -- especially for improvements over time that actually make things better.

Well, yeah, you're right of course. Unfortunately, this is where my "erg" factor tends to come in. I trust state level government way more than federal, and the mob of legislators not so much at all to be smart, in a good way, for the public, at all, these days, but yeah. (wow that was a long set of clarifications, *woof*) ...I guess when it comes down to it, I overall view them like I view the police -- assume the individuals are smart and can do their jobs, but make sure there's lots of public oversight and that people can be held accountable if they do stupid shit. (And be wary of the membership of the larger decision-making groups, because they can get carried away with themselves if you're not careful.) All that fun checks and balances stuff.

I agree re: benefit of everyone that the government would be better at that side of it (otherwise I'd be a screaming mess right now, no doubt), but a lot of people get very squicky about the idea of the government deciding about the cost/benefit tradeoffs of whether to cover medical procedures for people and how much to pay out (because, hey, no unlimited funds there). I'm kind of undecided. It's probably pretty universal though, that when the government starts putting a price on human life, people get ansy. To me, it means that we really need the right, most ethical people we can find to be in charge, who are not just going to rubber stamp rejections to avoid rising costs. (I think that some people -- not just me -- worry that the government might not end up any 'nicer' about things than the insurance companies currently, because we don't have much of another model to work off of, and the insurance companies are still interwoven throughout the mix. ...Because lord help us if we ever actually looked at -another- country for a good way to model a system */sarcasm* *rolls eyes*)

"The government" is huge. I don't think anybody trusts all of it :-P ...The chunk they've just created / are and have been in the process of creating is new and untested. Change can be bad as well as good. *shrugs*

Heh, yeah, can't argue there re: campaign finance. Could be worse though. Damn Super PACs. (...Seriously, Supreme Court, wtf these days?) *sighs*

Anyway, ty for the chat, I'm feeling at least a little less stressed for all the venting and talkback; other points of view help :)