Insurance is actually quite like bookmaking on horse races, but the bookies don't have nearly either the science or the basic statistical certainty that favors the insurance industry. Punters bet on horse races, wich are at best, chancy. Insurance compaines bet on the near certainty of statisical analysis, which over the entire population, rather than ten or fifteen horses in a race, is far more certain. Hence, Insurance, like bookmaking, is profitable, but nowhere near as risky.
Government, OTOH, dos not need to run a profit. Any loss is easliy covered by Armed Robery, or as we prefer to call it, voluntary taxation.
Mert

In "Every other developed nation", if you require surgery, you will wait patiently until it's convenient for the politcal machine to operate. Even here, in our backward country, at least in my own case, when I need medical attention, it's avaliabble in a matter of hours, and top-notch, as well. I'm on medicare, and have state (MA) appproved insurance as well. Still have copays. Just my personal experience, to be sure.

Mert

Dashy, Insurance compaies make their profits from invested premiums. Government does not make profits at all, ecept for the enormous opportunities for politicians to milk the taxpayers in order to get re-elected.

Mert

Pre existing conditions? Any of 'em? Try to get any insurance company to sell you a life insurance policy on a corpse. Now, as an insurer, would you invest in such a venture? How about a policy on someone with acavanced AIDS? Tuberculosis? Tetanus? Obamacare is a recipe for financial insolvency. That's what Nancy meant about finding out "What's in it."

Mert