Here's a 2011 article from Forbes magazine: "Why Switzerland Has the World's Best Health Care System"
http://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2011/04/29/why-switzerland-has-the-worlds-best-health-care-system/
Daleth, thanks for that link - it's a good read and worth the time. Two paragraphs in particular that caught my eye:
"99.5% of Swiss citizens have health insurance. Because they can choose between plans from nearly 100 different private insurance companies, insurers must compete on price and service, helping to curb health care inflation. Most beneficiaries have complete freedom to choose their doctor, and appointment waiting times are almost as low as those in the U.S., the world leader."
"Indeed, the fact that both liberals and conservatives would find objectionable elements to Switzerland is a large part of its appeal. It achieves the policy priorities of liberals (universal coverage; regulated insurance market) and of conservatives (low government health spending; privately-managed health care). Both sides could declare victory, and yet also have plenty to complain about."
As for choice and comparisons to other forms of insurance ("If you have a car, you don't have a choice about whether to buy car insurance. If you have a mortgage, you don't have a choice about whether to buy homeowner's insurance. Even renters may not have the option of not buying renter's insurance."), there are a few things.
- Not all states require auto insurance. More importantly, nobody is required to have a car.
- You aren't required to have a home, nor to have a mortgage if you do have a home.
- As noted, in many cases a renter does have a choice. One can debate the options, but the choice is there.
Speaking of choice, and when it may or may not (side discussion: any difference between "may" vs. "may not"?) apply, I
wish the ACA "was actually designed to be very similar to the Swiss system". A big problem with the ACA is the lack of choice - people in many places have limited options and can't "choose between plans from nearly 100 different private insurance companies."