Political allegiances aside, the percentage of current US medical students entering the field of primary care is down to 2%, nearly ONE FIFTH of what it was in 1990, according to a new study coming out tomorrow (Sep 10). The reason? Inflated costs of running a small business, increased government regulation, and continually decreasing reimbursement rates have already pushed our future familiy doctors, pediatricians, internists, OB-GYNs, and more into other more lucrative medical careers (advanced specialties, research, etc). I would too if I were them with all the medical socialism abound and only more in sight. Increased bureaucratic intervention in this field, or any free market, creates inefficiencies by reducing resources, whether that means the supply of available medicine, testing, treatments...or just good old fashion doctors (avg wait time from PC to specialist in Canada is already 18 weeks). Critics say the free market health system doesnt work, the irony is, it has never been allowed to actually try. The free market portion of the US health industry is what has provided the world with more life-saving agents and treatment options than all other countries in the history of the world combined (we all have a family member or two probably being kept alive by one of these right now). The success of the socialist arm can be measured simply by looking at any number of failed examples around the world (why do we believe socialized healthcare is something new and novel we have to try?) More irony - many of these countries' best doctors and neediest patients have already left for what remains of the private sector benefits in our own backyard. This is the portion of our current system to keep alive, free, and let costs lower themselves to maximize efficiency without deterring quality. I don't want a bureaucrat's hand guiding my doctor's diagnosis or scalpel, let alone his career decisions.

A final thought - it is a fool's argument to point to life expectancy as proof of a nation's medical system success (America also has one of the highest murder rates and vehicles crashes per capita...). To really gauge a system, look at its success in survival rates when treating their sick. There isn't a country in the world that gives those patients a better chance who've just been told they have cancer, leukemia, etc. A solid read to consider that touches on this, written from the perspective of a Canadian doctor:
http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/_ibd-canadian_doctor_describes_how.htm