For $400 per month I have no copay or deductible, $35 office visits, $150 ER. $10/$40 prescription copay, 100% durable medical equipment coverage and more - and these are pre-tax dollars.
There are numerous problems with the HC industry that can be eliminated so that costs can be brought way down. A public option should exist as a "group" for collective bargaining through private companies. That would eliminate a lot of the scamming going on and ensure that individuals don't get hosed.
But like I said, if America can not agree, why not just have 2 plans? That is, unless you fear that you would get stuck paying for a bunch of dead beats. Really, if half of America takes the public plan you will have plenty of people among whom to distribute the burden. Canada has 1/12 of the people we have and they pull it off.