I first worked on health care reform in 1973 at the former Health, Education and Welfare. We had some hopes even then, that reform was imminent. It is now 2009, 36 years later, and my belief that there must be a radical restructuring of the system has only gotten stronger.

About four years ago, I got seafood poisoning while on vacation in Spain. I spent 36 hours in the emergency room, most of which I can't remember, but I was subjected to blood tests, CAT scans, and other diagnostic tests, and treated. Upon my release, I was presented with my bill - about $200. What would this have cost in the US?