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Glad that a former insider has entered the fray. It doesn't matter when you, Wendell, saw the light, but that you did and are willing to share your perspective in a very public way. Why can't we re-frame the criterion for change. Now, it's all about cost and minimizing profit (only for those on our side). But it is essential to dare the disbelievers to call up that nationalistic fervor over Americans as compassionate and caring (a powerful myth that is probably now only rarely true). Your experience at the "expedition" made the U.S. appear like a 3rd world country. We can be no better as a nation than how we treat the poorest among us. Wonder if the pundits could gravitate toward the bumper sticker-length mantra that "We Owe Health Care to Our Fellow Americans"? We need to counter divisive slogans with other ones. "Socialized" programs for society are no more threatening compassion for the sick and helpless. And we are all helpless thanks to the insurance industry's grip on access to health care providers.