No problem. I just led off with that so I wouldn't have to repeat it but I think I kinda did anyway. :)

That certainly wouldn't solve all the problems with huge costs and high pricing withing out health care system, although I do believe it would be a big help.  It would give consumers more choices and more options to fix what they want/need, and it would force providers to compete much more than they do now.  Maximizing choice and competition are the cornerstones of cost containment in any product or service.

Re: the auto insurance and homeowner insurance, both differ greatly from health insurance. The mandate for auto is only liability (you injuring someone else), not for yourself. If have a loan, your lender requires insurance on the car to protect their collateral, but that's not a govt mandate. Same with homeowner ins. That's mandated by the lender, not the govt. The govt doesn't mandate any auto or home insurance to cover yourself. Nor should they for health, IMO.

(cont.)